California program sends hand-drawn cards to 200 infant botulism survivors yearly, offering support after outbreak linked to ByHeart formula.

California’s Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program sends hand-drawn birthday cards to about 200 infants annually who have recovered from infant botulism, a rare but serious condition caused by toxin-producing spores. The cards, drawn by staff member Robin Hinks, offer emotional support to families, many of whom were affected by a recent outbreak linked to ByHeart infant formula. The program, the world’s only source of BabyBIG—a life-saving treatment derived from immunized adults’ plasma—has reduced the death rate from nearly 90% to less than 1%. It has also built a long-term support network of nearly 1,500 families, fostering lasting connections across generations.