California Program Sends Treasured Birthday Cards to Babies Treated for Botulism

The state's Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program celebrates recovery with handmade cards for young patients

Feb. 24, 2026 at 9:48pm

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The California program that provides the world's only medical treatment for potentially deadly infant botulism also offers traumatized families hope of a different sort – silly cards on their babies' first birthdays. Every year, staff at the state's Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program decorate and mail roughly 200 cards to celebrate the recovery of children affected by the rare and dangerous condition, including dozens of U.S. babies affected by a recent outbreak tied to contaminated ByHeart infant formula.

Why it matters

The program's primary purpose is to help diagnose and treat infant botulism, a rare but potentially fatal condition where babies ingest botulism spores that produce a dangerous toxin. While death rates were once as high as 90%, the program's treatment has reduced that to less than 1%. The birthday cards provide a personal touch and sense of community for families facing this traumatic experience.

The details

The cards are coordinated by Robin Hinks, a program assistant who decorates them with crayons and colored pencils, often featuring animals with party hats and balloons. The program has become a source of information and connection for families, with nearly 1,500 now part of the parent network. Former patients have even gone on to have families of their own and stay in touch with the program.

  • The program sends the birthday cards annually to roughly 200 families.
  • In recent months, the cards have included dozens of U.S. babies affected by a botulism outbreak tied to 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.

Robin Hinks

A program assistant who coordinates and decorates the birthday cards sent to families.

Dr. Jessica Khouri

The senior medical officer of the Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program.

Amy Mazziotti

A mother from Burbank, California who received a birthday card for her son Hank after he was hospitalized with botulism from ByHeart infant formula.

Heather Goody

A mother from Gallipolis, Ohio whose daughter MaryEllen contracted infant botulism in 2016, and who now runs a Facebook group to connect parents of sick babies.

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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

What’s next

The program plans to continue sending the handmade birthday cards to families affected by infant botulism each year.

The takeaway

The Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program's birthday card tradition provides a personal and compassionate touch for families facing the trauma of this rare but serious condition, offering hope and connection during a difficult time.