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California Program Sends Birthday Cards to Babies Treated for Botulism
The state's Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program comforts families by mailing personalized cards on their babies' first birthdays.
Feb. 24, 2026 at 4:50pm
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The California program that provides treatment for potentially deadly infant botulism also offers traumatized families hope by sending personalized birthday cards to celebrate the recovery of children affected by the rare and dangerous condition. Every year, the program's staff decorates and mails roughly 200 cards to families, including dozens of U.S. babies affected by a recent botulism outbreak linked to contaminated infant formula.
Why it matters
Infant botulism is a rare but serious illness that can lead to paralysis and even death if not treated properly. The California program is the sole source worldwide for the only treatment, known as BabyBIG. By sending birthday cards, the program aims to provide comfort and connection to families facing this ordeal.
The details
The birthday cards are coordinated by Robin Hinks, a program assistant who decorates them with drawings of animals in party hats. The program's primary purpose is to help diagnose and treat infant botulism, which occurs when babies ingest botulism spores that produce a dangerous toxin. Death rates were once as high as 90% but are now less than 1% with treatment. The program has also become a source of information and connection for families facing the disease, with nearly 1,500 families in its parent network.
- The program sends the birthday cards annually to celebrate the recovery of children affected by infant botulism.
- In recent months, the cards have included dozens of U.S. babies affected by a botulism outbreak tied to contaminated ByHeart infant formula.
The players
Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program
A California program that provides the world's only medical treatment for potentially deadly infant botulism and sends birthday cards to celebrate the recovery of affected children.
Robin Hinks
A program assistant at the Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program who coordinates and decorates the birthday cards sent to families.
Amy Mazziotti
A mother from Burbank, California who received a birthday card for her son Hank after he was hospitalized for 12 days with botulism from contaminated ByHeart infant formula.
Heather Goody
A mother from Gallipolis, Ohio whose daughter MaryEllen contracted infant botulism in 2016. Goody now runs a Facebook group, Infant Botulism Awareness, to connect parents of sick babies.
Dr. Jessica Khouri
The senior medical officer of the Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program.
What they’re saying
“The fact that they take the time to send hand-drawn cards to each baby is incredibly special. When you're worried about your baby, it's the small acts like this that somehow feel really big.”
— Amy Mazziotti
“I am a big fan of drawing animals with party hats. Like, here's a frog with some balloons and a little penguin.”
— Robin Hinks, Program Assistant
“Support of the babies and their families remains paramount to our program and our mission.”
— Dr. Jessica Khouri, Senior Medical Officer
“It brought all the feels, but most importantly the feeling of gratitude that she was thriving in all areas of life.”
— Heather Goody
The takeaway
The Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program's birthday card tradition demonstrates the compassionate and personalized care it provides to families facing the rare and dangerous illness of infant botulism. By sending these heartfelt cards, the program offers comfort and connection to parents during a difficult time, showing the human side of its critical medical work.
