Ron Gettelfinger with Catharine Aboulhouda, who is healthy today, thanks to March of Dimes

It’s not surprising that 7-year-old Catharine Aboulhouda has the energy of a firecracker.

She was, after all, born on the Fourth of July.

But she was due around Halloween and arrived 16 weeks early, weighing 1 pound, 10 ounces.

Catharine’s eyes were fused shut, and she fought for every breath in her 113 days in intensive care, struggling with a heart defect, bleeding in her brain and jaundice.

Today the Allentown, Pa., child has no lasting consequences of her premature birth, thanks in part to medical advances developed and funded by the March of Dimes.

She loves singing, dancing, reading and swimming with her big brother, Michael.

UAW President Ron Gettelfinger and Ford Motor Co. president and CEO Alan Mulally are the 2010 March for Babies national co-chairs.

“I was honored … to be asked to serve in this role,” said Gettelfinger.

“This year’s campaign will reach nationwide to all men and women of the UAW. We’re focused on bringing people together to make a real difference.”

Catharine’s mother, Susan Aboulhouda, agreed.

“Perhaps one reason Catharine came into the world early,” she said, “is to let people know that even the tiniest babies can make a difference.”

And so does every dime.

Jennifer John