Josh's Journey

A visit with President Obama. Singing in front of 100,000 people. Trips to 19 states.

Those are just a few of the highlights of the past year for Joshua Hoffman, an energetic and lovable 8-year-old from Weston who recently finished his yearlong position as National Ambassador for the March of Dimes.

Josh's story is unique -- he was born four months premature and his parents -- Melanie and Lee -- did not know if he would survive or if he did, whether he would be blind, unable to walk or suffer brain damage.

Josh not only survived.

He has thrived.

When I interviewed him in Thanksgiving 2009 -- just before he assumed the National Ambassadorship to raise awareness about prematurity -- he asked me as many questions about my job as a reporter and my life as I did of him.

He exuded a spirit and a joy that belied his 6 years. It was obvious that he was going to be an overwhelming success as National Ambassador.

Melanie told me today that Josh grew enormously over the past year, traveling to 55 cities, giving speeches, shaking more hands than he can count and in the process, raising much-needed money for the March of Dimes in their efforts to educate expectant mothers about the dangers of prematurity.

""He really knows his story well now," Melanie said. "He knows he almost didn't live and that the March of Dimes saved his life. He's happy to be able to give back."

The March of Dimes estimates that 1 in 8 babies is born premature. The March of Dimes is dedicated to discovering what causes premature births and to educating pregnant women about the ways to best protect their child.

Josh is now 8 and in the 2nd grade. He continues to be active -- swimming, playing piano, playing with his little brother, Alex. Melanie said it's been a long year and the family is proud of what they've accomplished.

Plus, it sounds like the family has found a common goal that will resonate with them and with Josh for years to come.

Josh has one more event -- an interview on Fox & Friends on January 19. And Melanie said the Hoffman's will always be ready to serve the March of Dimes.

"We're not leaving the March of Dimes," she said. "They've become a part of our family."

To read more about Josh's journey over the past year,
CLICK HERE

To read more about the March of Dimes and their effort to fight prematurity,
CLICK HERE