[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 145 (Wednesday, November 14, 2012)]
[House]
[Page H6345]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
DANNY DID FOUNDATION
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from
Illinois (Mr. Quigley) for 5 minutes.
Mr. QUIGLEY. Mr. Speaker, an estimated 50,000 people die every year
as a result of seizures. Some of these victims are youngsters like
Danny Stanton. Chicagoans Mike and Mariann Stanton founded the Danny
Did Foundation after their 4-year-old son, Danny, died from a seizure
while he was sleeping. The foundation is dedicated to preventing deaths
caused by seizures and raising epilepsy awareness among the public and
medical community. That's no small task, but one brave 7-year-old is
taking a courageous step to help raise awareness of epilepsy's dangers.
Nick Curley never met Danny, but Nick's cousin Jenny suffers from
seizures. Nick has always helped out epilepsy charities in small ways,
but felt the need to do something bigger. As an enthusiastic hockey
player, he decided to combine his love for the sport and passion for
charity to create ``100 Miles for Danny.''
The 7-year-old athlete visited 20 different hockey rinks in the
Chicago area and skated 5 miles, or 50 laps, at each rink. His goal has
been to raise money and awareness for epilepsy, as well as the Danny
Did Foundation. I had the honor and pleasure to skate with Nick on two
separate occasions. Not only is he an impressive skater, but his
dedication to educating the public about the perils of epilepsy is
extraordinary. Nick's determination and warm heart set a powerful
example for all of us--one that I will not soon forget.
On Danny's first day of preschool, he told his teacher, I just want
to learn. Like Danny, the foundation aims to educate the general public
and the medical community about this misunderstood disease.
I admire the efforts of the Danny Did Foundation and heroes like Nick
Curley, who truly enjoys life, just like Danny did.
____________________