I am running to benefit Epilepsy treatment and care!

As part of a long-term goal to complete a marathon in every state, I am honored to run the Chicago Marathon - my Illinois race - for a meaningful cause. This race represents more than a milestone in that journey; it is an opportunity to give purpose to the miles by supporting the Danny Did Foundation.

Epilepsy has directly impacted my family and those closest to me. My wife, my mother-in-law, and several close friends live with epilepsy and benefit every day from advances in research, treatment, and medication that improve seizure control and quality of life. The Danny Did Foundation’s mission to advance epilepsy research, promote effective treatments, and prevent Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) is deeply meaningful to me. Any donation, in any amount, is sincerely appreciated as I work toward a fundraising goal of $5,000 to help support continued research, better outcomes, and a future where SUDEP is eliminated.

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.