Orland Park’s Ryan and Owen Toppi are just eight years old but wanted to do something to help the Danny Did Foundation, created in memory of their cousin’s best friend. Four year old Danny Stanton died of a seizure in December, 2009.

In January, 2010, Danny’s parents, Mariann and Mike Stanton, founded the Danny Did Foundation to help prevent deaths caused by seizures. The foundation exists to advance awareness of Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP); enhance communication between medical professionals and those afflicted by seizures; and the mainstreaming of seizure detection and prediction devices and other technologies that may help prevent deaths caused by seizures.

“My nephew, Charlie, was at Danny’s house on a Saturday night for pizza and playing. He went home and woke up the next day to learn that Danny had a seizure during the night and died,” explained Michelle Toppi, mother of Ryan and Owen.

The first “Buzz Cuts for Danny” was held last May on the north side of Chicago. Wanting to support his cousin, Owen went for a buzz cut. “On the way home, Owen said we should do this near our house,” Michelle recalled.

“I know a lot of boys in Orland Park will come because people in Orland Park care a lot about kids,” Ryan said. Owen added, “Danny’s in heaven but his family misses him so much.” The Buzz Cuts Event is open to children and adults.

The Toppi brothers have teamed up with Fantastic Sam’s at 9548 West 147^th Street in Orland Park and will hold their Danny Did Foundation Buzz Cuts Event on Sunday, May 1 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. This year’s north side Buzz Cuts will be held the same day.

“Sue Yunker, the owner of Fantastic Sam’s in Orland Park, has been absolutely wonderful,” Michelle said. “They’re donating their time and facility for the fundraiser,” she added. Participants will receive a free buzz cut in exchange for a donation to the Danny Did Foundation.

“We’re hoping that a lot of the area’s baseball players come in for a buzz cut, with the season starting,” Michelle said. “They can get ready for the summer and help save other kids at the same time,” she added.

“When we planned this with Fantastic Sam’s, I didn’t realize it was a week before Mother’s Day,” Michelle said. Owen added, “We’re doing this because Danny’s mom has a broken heart and we don’t want other moms to lose their boys.”

The Toppi brothers both play baseball with the Orland Youth Association and soccer with the Orland Park Soccer Club. Owen is a Webelos I Scout in Orland Park Cub Scout Pack 383.

“We hope a lot of our friends come for haircuts so we can all help save other kids,” Owen said.

Further information about the Danny Did Foundation is available at www.dannydid.org. Questions about the May 1^st Orland Park Buzz Cuts Event can be emailed to mduffy@dannydid.org. Appointments are not required.