Mother McAuley to Honor Danny Did Foundation with 2026 Caring Heart Award

Mother McAuley High School will host the school’s annual Fore the Macs Golf Outing on Thursday, August 20, 2026, at Ridge Country Club. The annual fundraiser benefits the Tradition of Excellence Scholarship at McAuley through a day of golf, fellowship and philanthropy. The 2025 event raised more than $136,000 in scholarships for the incoming freshman class.

At this year’s event, McAuley is honored to present the 2026 Caring Heart Award to the Danny Did Foundation, recognizing its commitment to protecting individuals living with epilepsy and preventing deaths caused by seizures through education, advocacy and access to life-saving technology.

Founded in 2010 by Mike and Mariann Stanton following the loss of their four-year-old son, Danny, to Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP), the Danny Did Foundation has become a leading advocate for epilepsy awareness, seizure safety and access to seizure detection technology. Most recently, the organization helped advance landmark Illinois legislation that expands insurance coverage for FDA-cleared seizure detection devices through both Medicaid and private insurance plans.

“The Danny Did Foundation exemplifies the spirit of compassion, service and advocacy that the Caring Heart Award represents,” said Carey Temple Harrington ’86, President of Mother McAuley. “Through unimaginable loss, the Stanton family has created a legacy that is helping countless families across Illinois and beyond. Their work is changing lives, and we are proud to recognize their extraordinary impact.”

This year’s recognition is especially meaningful for the McAuley community. Danny’s mother, Mariann (Murtaugh) Stanton, is a member of the McAuley Class of 1988. A standout point guard for the Mighty Macs, she went on to play collegiate basketball at Loyola University Chicago. Mariann later returned to McAuley as an English teacher and basketball coach, mentoring students both in the classroom and on the court. Her sisters, Mary Jo Murtaugh ‘84 and Mary Eileen Murtaugh ‘94, are also proud McAuley alumnae.

The Caring Heart Award honors the legacy of Caroline Griffin ‘12 and recognizes individuals and organizations whose compassion and service make a lasting impact on others. McAuley is proud to celebrate the Danny Did Foundation and the Stanton family for their dedication to creating a safer future for individuals and families affected by epilepsy.

For more information on how you can support this event, including joining us for the After Par-Tee and purchasing raffle tickets, please visit our golf outing website.

Fore the Macs Golf Outing & After Par-Tee Tickets