I am running to Protect Kids with Epilepsy

Howdy y'all!

I'm very stoked to announce that I've been given the fantastic opportunity to run the 2026 Chicago Marathon on behalf of the Danny Did Foundation. As some of you may know, I was diagnosed with epilepsy several years ago, and the condition continues to impact many aspects of my life. I had my first seizure in 2018 at the University of Arkansas library, which resulted in a partially dislocated shoulder and several fractured back vertebrae. The seizures that occurred in the following months and years did not result in the same sorts of violent injuries, but were still a constant reminder that my life was never going to be the same. It has been a long, arduous, and sometimes lonely transition. Still, through medication and lifestyle changes, I have come to terms with my condition and strive to make the most of every day.

It is not easy to learn how to love and trust your body again. The mental and physical hurdles that accompany an epilepsy diagnosis are diverse. Still, I have found that access to educational resources, building support networks, and sharing experiences proves remarkably helpful. For me, this also includes running. When I began hitting the pavement again after several years, I was surprised by how much running helped clear my mind and made me feel in control of my own body. I have since completed 10ks, half-marathons, and a full marathon - all of which are accomplishments that previously seemed far beyond my reach. Over time, I have come to see my running not only as a practice of self-discipline and care, but also as an accumulation of all the encouragement and support I have received from others.

I am running for the Danny Did Foundation because I believe in expanding access to educational resources on epilepsy and Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP), promoting public awareness, and destigmatizing the condition. I am running not only for myself, but also for the 65 million people worldwide who struggle with epilepsy and who, in the face of remarkable adversity, choose to live and live fully. Thanks for taking the time to listen to my experience, and please consider donating to the Danny Did Foundation as we continue working towards a world filled with hope and life.

Sincerely,

Will

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.