On April 19, 2026, Jimmy Dalton took an Uber to OSF Medical Center in Urbana after feeling a variety of (what were later determined to be) stroke-related symptoms. He was soon transported to Bloomington before being airlifted to Peoria, where it was discovered that he had suffered a basilar aneurysm (an aneurysm in his brainstem) and a series of mini strokes. Less than 12 hours prior to his hospitalization, he had worked the NCAA Men’s Gymnastics Championships, completely unaware of the eventual life-changing events that would follow over the next weeks of his life.
After five days of receiving world-class treatment in the Neuro ICU at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria, Jimmy underwent endovascular surgery to his brain on Friday, April 24, and is now on the road to recovery. He still faces weeks of rehab for speech, occupational, and physical therapy.
Jimmy is an extremely motivated, talented, and hardworking student within Illinois Athletics’ creative video staff. He worked closely with the men’s tennis team in 2024-25 and the volleyball and women’s basketball teams in 2025-26. His older sister, Katie, also works on the creative staff, working closely with the Illinois football and men’s and women’s gymnastics programs. Both Jimmy and Katie worked the NCAA Men’s Gymnastics Championships hours before Jimmy was hospitalized.
Jimmy is also very involved with his fraternity, serving on the executive board for Sigma Nu.
The Dalton family’s lives have come to a screeching halt. His older sister, Katie, and his parents, Tim and Lisa, have spent the last week with Jimmy while he has been in the hospital. The entire Dalton family either currently attends or graduated from the University of Illinois.
Any money collected will go to costs not covered by insurance.
All funds raised will be transferred directly to the Dalton family.
A message from Jimmy's Instagram (4/25/26):
It’s only up from here… I want preface all of this by saying I’m nothing but grateful for all of the messages, notes, and prayers from all of you.
If you aren’t aware of the situation, I suffered several “mini” strokes as a result of a basilar Aneurysm aka an aneurysm in the brainstem. I took an uber to the emergency room on Sunday morning before being transferred to St.Joseph’s in Bloomington, and eventually airlifted to St. Francis in Peoria for the best care.
I am 19. Which is both a good and scary thing. I am so young so my brain has so much more room to grow, but scary for this to even happen in the first place.
My advice for all of you is to be grateful for everything: eating, sleeping, hugging relatives, using the bathroom on your own, walking around campus, lifting weights, running, and other college “activities.”
Some may think I am unlucky, but I feel lucky to be alive.
About the organizer:
My name is Jackson Janes, and I am an assistant director of athletics communication at Illinois. I have worked directly with both Katie and Jimmy during their time working with Illinois Athletics, and I will continue working with Jimmy over his final two years at Illinois.