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Causes: Health

Mission: 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 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 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 with 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. ”

Results: The Danny Did Foundation has provided support to families in all 50 states and 14 countries. In Danny Stanton's name, we continue to be a source of practical support for patients and parents who are coping with the challenges of epilepsy.

Programs: The Danny Did Foundation holds as its main goals 1) advancing awareness of epilepsy and sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (sudep), 2) enhancing the sudep communication model between medical professionals and families who are impacted by seizures, and 3) the mainstreaming of devices and technologies that may assist in preventing deaths caused by seizures. Danny did achieved these goals by subsidizing the cost of the emfit movement monitor for 41 families in need, subsidizing the cost of the smartwatch device for 47 families in need, subsidizing the cost of sami alert devices for 119 families in need, subsidizing the cost of sleep safe anti-suffocation pillows for 5 families in need; and counseling hundreds of additional families regarding these options. Danny did also reached its goals via the distribution of its seizure safety and sudep brochures to hospitals, doctors, advocates and families nationwide, in both english and spanish; by using print ads, radio ads, billboards and social media to advance awareness and education; by sponsoring sudep-related events; and by presenting at conferences, schools and meetings across the country to spread understanding and tolerance for seizures and people with epilepsy. Danny did also funded scholarships for 23 families to attend the epilepsy educational expo and awareness day at disneyland, and for 10 families to attend the partners against mortality in epilepsy conference.
3008 Central St Ste. 203, Evanston, IL 60201
773-307-2336
Health
Evanston
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