26.2 Miles to Honor My Twin Sister and Protect Those Living with Epilepsy

I’m running the 2026 Chicago Marathon with Team Danny Did for two people who mean everything to me: my twin sister, Elizabeth, who passed away from SUDEP (Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy) in 2020, and my brother, who lives with epilepsy.

SUDEP is sudden and unpredictable. There are often no warnings, no clear explanations, and no second chances. Losing my twin sister was devastating, and like so many families, we were left with shock, grief, and countless unanswered questions. It’s something I never imagined my family would face, yet it is a reality for far too many families living with epilepsy.

My brother’s epilepsy is a reminder that this cause is not just about the past. It is about the present and the future. Epilepsy brings constant uncertainty, not only for those living with it, but for everyone who loves them.

Running has always been part of who I am. I ran competitively at Siena University and the University of Connecticut, and running has remained a steady, grounding part of my life. This marathon allows me to turn my love of running into something meaningful by honoring my twin sister, supporting my brother, and standing with the epilepsy community.

I am proud to run with Team Danny Did, whose mission is to prevent epilepsy-related deaths through education, awareness, and research. By sharing lifesaving information and advocating for epilepsy safety, Team Danny Did is making a real difference for families and helping ensure that fewer lives are lost to SUDEP.

Thank you for supporting my run, for standing with Team Danny Did, and for honoring everyone impacted by epilepsy. Every donation, every share, and every mile truly matters and together we can help protect families and save lives.

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.