Hey, Guess what?! I'm running a half marathon!

GUYS! I'm running the Rock N' Roll Half Marathon in Chicago this summer and I am SUPER EXCITED!!!

I know what you are thinking. Jesse is almost always "in training" for a half marathon, right? Pretty sure she is the whackjob working her way through the physically, logistically and financially challenging (read as idiotic) goal of running a half marathon in all 50 states. She always has some race in a SUPER interesting place like West Bountiful, UT or Olive Branch, MS on the horizon. Why then, is she making such a fuss about a half marathon in a state she has already run, in the city she has lived for 8 years?!

GREAT QUESTION.

On July 16th, I have the honor of running with Team Danny Did. The foundation is an inspiring organization that rose out of an incredibly tragic event, an event that is all too common, but hardly understood.

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 Foundation's 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 impacted 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 nearly 3 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 impacted by the disorder, is that seizures can be fatal. More people die as a result of seizures than from fires and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) combined. The causes of death can vary and include drowning, other accidents and status epilepticus (prolonged seizures). In addition, thousands of deaths occur annually from SUDEP, a fact that is little known and too rarely addressed in public and in medical circles. The name of the Danny Did Foundation originates from the last line of Danny Stanton's obituary, written by his dad: "Please go and enjoy your life. Danny did."

So little is known about SUDEP, but it effects so many (each year, more than 1 out of 1,000 people with epilepsy die from SUDEP). Through my dear friend, Jen Silva and her involvement in the Danny Did Foundation, my eyes have been opened to how prevalent SUDEP is and how little is known about it. On July 16th, I run with the hope of in some small way helping to raise the awareness and funds necessary to understand what causes SUDEP and how it can be prevented. Jen is my reason for running. It isn't often that I have such a powerful motivation on race day. I am excited to represent Danny Did, in a city that I love for a person that I simply adore!

I would be incredibly grateful for your support on this very special race day.

Love,

Jesse