our mission statement
To promote the well-being of children coping with serious illness, and their families, by strengthening resilience-based protective processes. Beads of Courage, Inc. achieves its mission through the development and implementation of evidence-based supportive care programs in children’s hospitals across the nation.
The Beads of Courage® program is provided by Beads of Courage Inc., located in Tucson, Arizona. Beads of Courage Inc. is an approved public charity under I.R.S. Code Section 501(c)(3).
what
is the program?
Beads of Courage® is a resilience-based intervention designed to
support and strengthen the protective resources in children coping
with serious illness. Through the program children tell their story using colorful
beads as meaningful symbols of courage that commemorate milestones
they have achieved along their unique treatment path.
how does the program work?
Upon enrollment each child is given the Beads of Courage bead color
guide with a detachable membership card. Their Beads of Courage journey
begins when each child is first given a length of string and beads that spell
out their first name. Then, colorful beads, each representing a different
treatment milestone are given to the child by their professional health care
provider to add to their Beads of Courage® collection throughout their
treatment.
why
does the program help?
Ongoing evaluation of the Beads of Courage program indicates that the
program helps to decrease illness-related distress, increase the use of positive
coping strategies, helps children find meaning in illness, and restore sense
of self in children coping with serious illness. The program also provides something
tangible the child can use to tell about their experience during cancer treatment
and after.
are there ways i can help?
Yes! Click on "how to help" for details.
additional Beads of Courage programs
In addition to our Beads of Courage Survivor program,
other Beads of Courage® programs are currently being developed for implementation,
including:
Ongoing development of Beads of Courage research-based programs for children experiencing other life threatening illnesses such as hematological disorders and pulmonary disease is currently underway. Please contact the Program Director if you are interested in participating in this very important work.
we are actively involved
Beads of Courage supports other organizations that promote
health and well being.
©2007 Jean M. Baruch