Pediatric Cardiology Care

Beads of Courage^®

Beads of Courage is a 501(c) 3 tax-exempt organization dedicated to helping children with serious illnesses record, tell, and own their stories of survival. When children undergo treatment for serious illnesses, needle sticks, x-rays and hospital stays are all painful episodes to be endured. Beads of Courage is a program that awards these brave patients with beads to represent each milestone. Through this program, children can tell their stories using colorful beads as meaningful symbols of courage that commemorate milestones they have achieved.

Initially created to help children endure cancer treatment, the program has since been modified to also reach patients with cardiac conditions. Patients receive a necklace with their name and a bead symbolizing the cardiac program. With every milestone in a patient's treatment, beads are added to help tell a story of understanding, acceptance, and survival unique to each child's journey. These colorful beads are worn proudly by patients or their families to symbolize courage. They are a constant reminder to take each procedure one day at a time. These beads bring energy and excitement to patients and families.

Major Benefits

The ongoing evaluation of the Beads of Courage program indicates that the program helps decrease illness-related distress, increases the use of positive coping strategies, helps children find meaning in illness, and restores a sense of children coping with serious illness. The program also provides something tangible the child can use to describe their experience during and after treatment.

For more information or to make a donation, email us: CVICUbeadsofcourage@archildrens.org.