I am running to Protect Kids with Epilepsy

On a personal note:

Hi everyone!

I wanted to take a moment to share why I’m raising money for the Danny Did Foundation- a cause that's very close to my heart.

When I decided to run this marathon, I knew I wanted to support a charity that helps those with epilepsy. After learning about the Danny Did Foundation and hearing Danny's story-along with so many other heartbreaking stories of families who have unfortunately lost their loved ones due to SUDEP- there was no doubt in my mind that this was the organization I wanted to run for.

I was diagnosed with epilepsy just after I turned 11. It was a scary and uncertain time for me and my family. When my doctors told us about SUDEP (Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy), that fear only grew. It was then that I realized how little people know about epilepsy—and even less about SUDEP and its devastating impact on families.

When I heard Danny's story, it reminded me of how fragile life can be. I thank God every day that I’m still here, able to live a full life—and that’s something I don’t take for granted.

When I first learned that epilepsy would be a permanent part of my life, I never imagined that one day I’d be running a marathon to raise awareness about it. But with your support, we can raise awareness for epilepsy and SUDEP to help prevent more lives from being lost.

By donating, you’re not just supporting my marathon journey—you’re helping spread awareness, support families, and potentially save lives.

I want to take a moment to thank my family—my mom and dad, my older brother Drew, my sister Kate, my little brother Ryan, and all my extended family, whose love and support have meant the world to me. I also want to thank my friends and doctors, who have been there for me every step of the way. Epilepsy will always be a part of my life, but I feel truly blessed to have such a wonderful circle around me.

Thank you for being a part of this cause, and God bless!

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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.