Christine Cornwell

Christine Cornwell's Fundraiser

I am running for all of those effected by Epilepsy image

I am running for all of those effected by Epilepsy

Please support my Marathon for Danny Did Foundation

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$1,040 towards $2,350

Thank you for considering a donation to support my 26.2 mile Chicago Marathon run dedicated to those facing epilepsy.

This run and cause are very near and dear to me. While I haven't spoken much about it, if at all, on social media I was officially diagnosed with Epilepsy in early 2022. I had my first seizure on September 1st, 2020, which also happens to be the day my daughter was born. I was in active labor at the hospital, when I had my seizure and that day and the following years were significantly altered in ways we never expected. I unfortunately have very few memories of giving birth and those precious hours after. I have a few fractions of memories here and there, but truly one of my first memories with my first born daughter is holding her while getting an EEG late that evening to explore what happened. Since this was my first seizure it was ultimately decided at that time that it was "a provoked seizure" caused by all the stress that was on my body and I was just to go about life as normal.

Flash forward 18 months later and I had a second seizure, which then led to the UVA neurology team officially diagnosing me with epilepsy. I have tonic clonic seizures (think convulsing, loss of consciousness, all the not fun things), they are very hard on the body and have been pretty traumatic for those around me to witness. I have been incredibly lucky to be responsive to medication and that my seizures are very well managed. However, I have experienced many days of worry and fear of what might happen, particularly in those earlier days with navigating this. I'm excited (and also questioning my sanity a bit) to be able to return to my favorite city and run this marathon! Mostly, I'm grateful to be in a place with my health where I trust that my body can tackle this marathon.

In order to run this marathon, I have pledged to raise a notable amount of money for The Danny Did Foundation, and any little bit you might be able to contribute will be so appreciated!

Please read a little more below about this incredible organization, which helps children and families obtain education, resources, and seizure detection devices that can drastically increase their quality of life and sense of security.


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About Danny Did Foundation

Founded by Chicago parents Mike and Mariann Stanton in 2010 after the sudden death of their four-year-old son Danny, the Danny Did Foundations primary mission is to prevent deaths caused by seizures. The Foundation advances public awareness of epilepsy and Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP), strives to improve communication about SUDEP between medical professionals and families affected by seizures, and advocates for the mainstream acceptance and use of seizure detection and prediction devices that may assist in preventing seizure-related deaths.

Epilepsy affects 3.4 million people in the United States and 65 million people worldwide. One in 26 Americans will develop epilepsy during their lifetime. But what few people understand, including many people with epilepsy, is that seizures can be fatal. More people die as a result of seizures than from fires and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) combined. In addition to deaths caused by drowning, other accidents, and status epilepticus (prolonged seizures), thousands of deaths occur annually from SUDEP, a fact that is little known and too rarely addressed by medical professionals and in public discussions of epilepsy. Danny Did Foundation takes its name from the last line of Danny Stanton’s obituary, written by his dad: “Please go and enjoy your life. Danny did.” We celebrate Danny’s spirit in every child and family we reach.