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1535333
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1976/12/13 - March of Dimes Poster Child
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1535333
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1976/12/13 - March of Dimes Poster Child
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The original documents are located in Box 63, folder "1976/12/13 - March of Dimes Poster
Child" of the James M. Cannon Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald Ford donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Digitized from Box 63 of the James M. Cannon Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
Jmc
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
TO MEET WITH ROBBIE ZASTAVNY, THE
1977 MARCH OF DIMES POSTER CHILD
Monday, December 13, 1976
9:00 a.m. (10 minutes)
The Oval Office
From: Jim Cannon
a
I. PURPOSE
To greet six year old Robbie Zastavny of Moorestown,
New Jersey, the 1977 March of Dimes Poster Child
and to present to the Foundation a Presidential
Statement recognizing January 1977 as the March of
Dimes Birth Defects Prevention Month.
II. BACKGROUND, PARTICIPANTS AND PRESS PLAN
A. Background: Robbie was born with an open spine and
has to walk with leg braces. He is a
very vivacious child. He attends the
George C. Baker School in Moorestown.
B. Participants: Attached at Tab A.
C. Press Plan:
White House Photographer
FORD LIBRARY Y GERALD
TALKING POINTS
1.
Robbie, I am very pleased to welcome you and your
parents and your brother here today, and Mr. Green
and of course Miss Sills.
2.
The March of Dimes is a fine organization and has
done fine work, especially combatting brith defects.
3.
I had the pleasure earlier this year of contributing
remarks to a documentary on infant and maternal mal-
nutrition that is now owned by the March of Dimes.
4.
I hope you are making good use of this film and
distributing it widely. The message that it conveys
is so important.
5.
Miss Sills, I am pleased that you can take time from
your busy schedule of opera
and T.V. specials
to give your time to the March of Dimes, and also to
the Planning Council of the White House Conference on
Handicapped Individuals. I know you are very interested
in that work.
6.
Mr. Green, I am happy to present this message to you
recognizing January 1977 as the March of Dimes Birth
Defects Prevention Month.
PARTICIPANTS
Robbie Zastavny, March of Dimes Poster Child
Mr. and Mrs. Al Zastavny, Robbie's parents
Norbert Zastavny, Robbie's brother
Beverly Sills, National Chairman, Mothers March on Birth
Defects
Peter Greenough, Beverly Sills' husband and Member of The
Board of Trustees of the National Foundation
Harry E. Green, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of The
National Foundation
Molly L. Green, Wife of Harry E. Green
Charles L. Massey, Executive Vice President of The National
Foundation
Clyde E. Shorey, Jr., Vice President for Public Affairs of
The National Foundation
Everett Thorner, Public Relations, The National Foundation
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
December 7, 1976
MARCH OF DIMES BIRTH DEFECTS PREVENTION MONTH
JANUARY 1977
Birth defects kill about 60 thousand Americans
of all ages each year. One of every fourteen
infants born alive in the United States will
show evidence of a birth defect by the time of
his or her first birthday. One in every three
hundred will die of a birth defect before even
reaching that first birthday. And for each
afflicted child who dies in infancy, there will
be several others who have to face long years
of disability or the likelihood of an early
death. We cannot even begin to estimate the
cost to society of birth defects.
The ongoing tragedy of birth defects has called
forth truly heroic efforts from concerned parents
and professionals and, in many cases, from the
handicapped individuals themselves. As a result,
a number of defects which once were considered
incurable can now be corrected and their harmful
effects reduced. New modes of therapy are
constantly being devised to help handicapped
persons lead fulfilling and productive lives.
But our greatest hope for the future lies in the
area of prevention. If we can prevent birth de-
fects, we can eliminate a major source of death
and suffering, and come closer to our national
goal of equal opportunity for all Americans.
This effort is happily going forward on many
fronts. Scientists are attempting to gain a
better understanding of the causes of birth
defects, and are using this information to de-
vise methods of prevention which can be applied
before birth, or even before conception. Both
voluntary and governmental agencies are involved
in improving prenatal care for pregnant women.
2
In addition, the Federal Government has begun a
major new initiative to reduce the incidence of
low birthweight. About one in every thirteen
infants is born too soon, or too small, to cope
with the demands of life outside the womb. Along
with birth defects, low birthweight represents
a serious threat to the newborn child.
We can eliminate all of these threats to our
children. But in order to do so we must have
a national commitment to the prevention of birth
defects and other causes of infant mortality.
The traditional observance of March of Dimes
Birth Defects Prevention Month is a positive
step in this direction.
Let us all heed its message and ensure that a
healthy start in life is truly the birthright
of every child.
Merald R. Ford
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
December 9, 1976
MEMORANDUM FOR: JAMES CANNON
FROM:
WILLIAM W. NICHOLSON WWN
SUBJECT:
Approved Presidential Activity
Please take the necessary steps to implement the following
and confirm with Mrs. Nell Yates, ext. 2699. The appropri-
ate briefing paper should be submitted to Dr. David Hoopes
by 4:00 p.m. of the preceding day.
Meeting: With March of Dimes Poster Child
Date:Mon., Dec. 13, '76
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Duration: 5 mins.
Location:
The Oval Office
Press Coverage:
Purpose:
The National Chairman, Beverly Sills, and other representatives
of the National Foundation of the March of Dimes will also be
present.
CC: Mr. Cheney
Mr. Hartmann
Mr. Marsh
Dr. Connor
Dr. Hoopes
Mr. Nessen
Mr. Jones
Mr. Smith
Mr. O'Donnell
Mrs. Yates
Col. Riley
Mr. Orben
Mrs. Gemmell
Ms. Massengale
Mr. Mitler
FORD : GERALD LIBRARY