read a personal story: Catharine Aboulhouda: 2008 National Ambassador

read a personal story:

Nearly 500,000 babies are born prematurely in the U.S. every year. All these babies come into the world too early. Every one of them is unique and special, and every baby's story is different.

Catharine Aboulhouda: 2008 National Ambassador

Expected to be her family's Halloween treat, Catharine Aboulhouda instead arrived on the Fourth of July. She weighed just 1 pound, 10 ounces and measured only 12 inches long. Since she was 16 weeks early, her eyes were still fused shut. Catherine fought for every breath, facing daily challenges caused by a heart defect, bleeding in her brain, jaundice and a heart murmur.

Zeek Taylor: 2007 National Ambassador

Zeek is an artistic 7½-year-old who loves music, cooking, and making greeting cards. While you would not know it by looking at him, he is healthy today, thanks to the March of Dimes.

Alexa Marie Ostolaza: 2006 National Ambassador

Weighing only 1 pound, 4 ounces at birth, Alexa Marie Ostolaza is living proof that there is hope, thanks to breakthroughs in medicine and advances in research.

Navy Anderson: 2005 National Ambassador

Navy Anderson and her twin brotherJackson were born 17 weeks too soon. Jackson survived only 3½ hours. Navy, who weighed less than 2 pounds, pulled through.

Amanda Reeves: 2004 National Ambassador

Amanda Reeves is a special little girl whose life got off to a fragile and challenging start.

Ricky Obst: A Mother's Promise

Ricky was born at 27 weeks and weighed less than 3 pounds. He died in his mother's arms. By working with the March of Dimes, his mother is creating his legacy.