2008 National Ambassador, Catharine Aboulhouda to Appear at
The Golden Mile Executive Breakfast to Benefit March for Babies
Detroit, MI, March 11, 2008 — The Aboulhouda family understands firsthand what it can mean if a baby is not born healthy. Expected to be her family’s Halloween treat, Catherine Aboulhouda arrived on the Fourth of July, weighing 1 pound, 10 ounces. When Catherine was born 16 weeks too soon, no one knew if she would survive. Today, the five-year-old has been named the March of Dimes 2008 National Ambassador. This appointment reflects the March of Dimes continued commitment to ensure every baby gets a healthy start in life.
Catherine’s story represents just one of the more than half a million babies born preterm each year in the United States. As the National Ambassador, Catharine and her parents, Susan and Mike, will travel the country throughout the coming year to share their story and help raise awareness of the growing crisis of premature birth, which has increased by more than 30 percent in the U.S. since 1981.
Catherine Aboulhouda and her family, will share their story at the Golden Mile Executive Breakfast on Tuesday, March 11, 2008 in the Main Dining Room of the Detroit Athletic Club beginning with a continental breakfast at 8:45 a.m. Paul W. Smith, News/Talk 760 WJR will emcee. Along with our State March for Babies Chairs we will have the United Auto Workers, Chrysler, Ford Motor Company, and General Motors teaming up again with the March of Dimes.
Premature birth touches half a million babies and their families every year including 15,954 preterm births in Michigan, representing 12.3% of live births (2004 PeriStats). Babies born too soon are more likely to die or have disabilities. The March of Dimes is committed to reducing this toll by funding research to find the answers to premature birth and providing comfort and information to families.
“No parent should have to experience the life-changing consequences that can result from having a baby born too soon,” said Catherine’s mother Susan. “That’s why we’re honored to have this opportunity to help the March of Dimes improve the health of all babies. Everyone can be a champion for baby health by signing up for March for Babies.”
March for Babies, formerly known as WalkAmerica, is the March of Dimes premier fundraising event that benefits all babies—those born healthy as well as those who need help to survive and thrive. In Michigan, March for Babies will take place from April 19th through May 17th at twenty-eight locations throughout the state. Residents can sign up today to help fund lifesaving research and educational programs aimed at the goal of giving every baby a healthy start. Funds raised by March for Babies in Michigan support community grant programs, NICU programs, NICU Family Support, community projects for high risk women and educational awareness campaigns.
We urge walkers and donors to visit marchforbabies.org or call toll-free 1-800-525-9255 to sign up as an individual, start a corporate, family or a friends team, or donate to help babies be born healthy.
In 2008, national March for Babies sponsors are CIGNA, Continental Airlines, Famous Footwear, Farmers, FedEx, Grain Foods Foundation, Liberty Tax Services, nesting.com, and Kmart, the March of Dimes number one corporate partner which has raised more than $63 million for babies. Additional national sponsorship is provided by Discovery Health, Mead Johnson Nutritionals, Outdoor Services and Ther-Rx.
In Michigan we are proud also to be sponsored statewide by Flagstar Bank and Coca Cola Enterprises.
# # #
|
