Shelby Birtcher's Fundraiser
2025 Chicago Marathon Fundraiser
Running To Support Kids With Epilepsy
Ray Birtcher
"We will still love you without toenails, go get em! We are so proud of you, "
$500
A supporter of Shelby Birtcher
"Kite Stones says good luck!!"
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The McGuires
"Your intensity and drive “toe-tally” matches your children’s. Can’t wait to see you shine doing what you love. Ray better get his back ready! :) "
$50
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Kevin Michie
"You got this!"
$25
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Courtney Newell
I donated in support of this campaign.
$75
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Bob Birtcher
"We support you Shelby!- Bob Birtcher "
$200
Mary Drent
I donated in support of this campaign.
$75
A supporter of Shelby Birtcher
"Enjoy the run, Shelby!"
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Cari Kosiba
"Go Shelby Go!!! So proud of you! "
$50
In 2023, after a series of traumatic seizures, our daughter Emersyn was diagnosed with epilepsy. Along with that diagnosis came a wave of uncertainty—questions without clear answers and fears about what the future might hold. Thanks to the exceptional care she received in the Advocate Children’s PICU, the continued support of her neurology team, and her own incredible strength, Emersyn is doing remarkably well. Her resilience in the face of so many unknowns has been nothing short of inspiring—and it motivates me every single day.
That’s why, when I choose a charity to partner with for the 2025 Chicago Marathon, I chose the Danny Did Foundation. They are a local Chicago charity that began after the sudden death of their 4 year old son due to a seizure. Their mission—to raise awareness and advance the prevention of deaths caused by seizures. I’m incredibly proud to run as part of their team and honored to support a cause that’s become so personal and meaningful to me.
All donations are tax-deductible and will be acknowledged by the Danny Did Foundation.
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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.