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LITTLE ROCK, AR. (August, 2006) – Chase Wellenberger’s collection of smooth plastic and glass beads represents more than a hobby. They’re like a scrapbook that tells the story of his long journey, which has ended once and started again.

Chase, an 8 year-old patient at Arkansas Children's Hospital (ACH), has leukemia. The Little Rock resident has undergone chemotherapy, been in and out of the hospital and endured dozens of tube insertions. And for each of these procedures, Chase has received a corresponding bead through the hospital’s new Beads of Courage program.

“He was very excited just to have something to show what he’s been through,” said Carrie Wellenberger, Chase’s mother. “We’ll get a bead to explain just about everything that’s happened.”

After children are diagnosed with cancer at ACH, their parents can choose to enroll their young patient in the program, which is run through a Phoenix-based non-profit organization. ACH is the fourteenth hospital in the nation, and the only one in Arkansas, to offer the program.

After diagnosis, the child is given beads that spell his or her name. Then, he or she receives beads in special colors for a variety of experiences. A yellow one is given for an overnight stay in the hospital. A red one is presented when a child undergoes a blood transfusion. A bead that glows in the dark represents radiation treatments. When a child loses hair, he receives a brown bead.

Chase Wellenberger, 8, picks out lettered beads to spell his name to start his Beads of Courage collection at Arkansas Children's Hospital. Photo by Kelley Cooper.

Chase Wellenberger, age 8, of Little Rock, picks out lettered beads to spell his name to start his Beads of Courage collection at Arkansas Children's Hospital. Photo by Kelley Cooper. Click for Hi-Res image.

“When a nurse is with the child, the nurse will take that box in and sit down with the child and talk about everything that has gone on that day,” said Kay Kirk, R.N., the nursing manager over the cancer unit. “It reinforces the accomplishments they are making, but also reminds them that for every step they’ve taken, they’re that much closer to their goal.”

Nurses, social workers and child life specialists give the children their beads after the procedure is over. They refer to this as going “beyond the sticker.” A sticker is disposable, but the beads are long-lasting and carry a special meaning.

“The patients have all been very excited,” said Carrie Calhoon, an ACH Social Worker in Hematology and Oncology. “They ask for these all day long and it is the highlight of their day to receive them.”

The program is funded for the first full year through a special fund set up for the cancer unit. Funding for the following year will be provided by proceeds from a golf tournament set up by 10-year-old Little Rock resident Lexi Acuff, who had two friends who battled cancer.

“She liked the beads, and she liked the idea that it tells a story,” said Barbara Acuff, Lexi’s mother. “It was a lot of work, but well worth it.”

Xavier Cole, age 6, of Little Rock, shows off his Beads of Courage necklace at Arkansas Children's Hospital. Photo by Kelley Cooper. Click here for Hi-Res image.

ACH patients showcase their beads in different ways. Some string them together and hang them from their IV poles, others craft them into necklaces or store them in decorative containers.

For ACH patients who have been battling cancer for several years, special decorative milestone beads are available which indicate the child has been through hundreds of procedures. Chase, who was diagnosed with leukemia when he was 4 years old, ended his treatment and later relapsed. He will soon have more than 1,800 beads.

Chase is considering hanging his beads in his room, near his favorite purple button, which reads “Survivor.” His mother knows which bead Chase wants most. It’s a one-of-a-kind bead, hand-crafted into a purple heart. It means the recipient has reached the end of his treatment.

“We already have one purple heart,” Carrie Wellenberger said. “We hope to get a second one someday soon."

Arkansas Children's Hospital is the only pediatric medical center in Arkansas and one of the largest in the United States serving children from birth to age 21. The campus spans 24 city blocks and houses 290 beds, a staff of approximately 500 physicians, 80 residents in pediatrics and pediatric specialties and more than 3,600 employees. The private, nonprofit healthcare facility boasts an internationally renowned reputation for medical breakthroughs and intensive treatments, unique surgical procedures and forward-thinking medical research - all dedicated to fulfilling our mission of enhancing, sustaining and restoring children's health and development. For more information, visit www.archildrens.org.

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