The Aboulhoudas thanked President Bush for the support he has given the March of Dimes during his years as Governor and President, in office, and urged him to make prevention of preterm birth a national priority—during the remainder of his term and to continue the fight once he returns to Texas. 

“The March of Dimes is committed to ensuring a healthy birth for every baby.” said Dr. Jennifer L. Howse, president of the March of Dimes.  “Premature birth continues as the number one health problem for newborns. Babies who survive often suffer from serious, lifelong complications.”

Catharine Aboulhouda was born 16 weeks too soon, weighing 1 pound, 10 ounces and measuring only 12 inches in length.  Her eyes were fused shut, and she fought for every breath, facing daily challenges caused by a heart defect, bleeding in her brain, jaundice and a heart murmur. After 113 days in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Catharine went home, still fragile enough to need monitors and oxygen. Amazingly, she has no lasting consequences of her extremely premature birth, thanks in part to medical advances developed and funded by the March of Dimes.

Since being named National Ambassador last October, Catharine and her family have traveled to 18 states and over 60 cities, to meet with CEOs, government officials, and the news media to share their story and to help raise awareness of the growing crisis of premature birth.  Catharine represents just one of the more than half a million babies born preterm each year in the United States.

Catharine’s mom, Susan, says, “Perhaps one reason Catharine came into the world early is to let people know that even the tiniest babies can make a difference.”

The March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality.  For more information, visit the March of Dimes Web site at marchofdimes.com or its Spanish language Web site at nacersano.org.  To read more about Catharine’s journey, visit marchofdimes.com/catharinesblog.