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The Beads of Courage® program is designed to achieve the targeted health
benefits for children who participate, their families, and the health
care provider who implements the program. The Beads of Courage® program
is adapted from the original Bravery Beads program offered to children
at British Columbia Children's Hospital (Stutzer & Gove, 1999). The
Beads of Courage® program as developed by Baruch, J.M. (2004) is a
resilience-based supportive care intervention to strengthen
resilience-based protective processes (coping, derived meaning, social
support) of children receiving treatment for cancer while decreasing
adverse outcomes and late-effects (depression, anxiety, uncertainty in
illness, symptom distress). Beads of Courage® is also targeted to
positively impact clinical practice by strengthening the therapeutic
alliance with patients, decreasing work related stress, and increase
capacity-building (leadership, growth). 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. Their Beads of Courage® journey begins when each child
is first given a length of string beads that spell out their first name.
Colorful Beads of Courage ®, each representing a different treatment
milestone are available to add to their string throughout their
treatment journey. Meaning is derived from their experience with cancer
while in the program when their Beads of Courage® collection is
recognized both by its qualitative (diversity in individual beads and
color) and quantitative (number of beads over time) nature by their
professional caregiver, family and friends. The broad goals of Beads of
Courage® are listed below.Goals of Beads of Courage®
• To visually acknowledge the courage displayed in each visit a child
makes to the hospital for treatment
• To provide something tangible children can use to tell their unique
story during treatment, and at completion of therapy
• To add brightness, play and fun to the care of children with cancer
• To recognize the challenging journey throughout their treatment
• To create meaning from the many procedures children must cope with
throughout their treatment What is the Beads of Courage® program?
• Beads of Courage® is a resilience-based intervention designed to
support and strengthen the protective resources in children coping with
cancer. 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 cancer. The program
also provides something tangible the child can use to tell about their
experience during cancer treatment and after. The Beads of Courage®
program is especially proud of the endorsement and sponsorship we
receive from the International Society of Glass Beadmakers (ISGB).
Artists from around the world who are members of the ISGB donate
handmade glass beads to give to children for the significant treatment
milestones (Act of courage, bone marrow transplant donor and recipient,
completion of treatment). These beads are truly one-of-a-kind and it is
only fitting that those significant treatment milestones are represented
by these handmade beads. Children who participate in the Beads of
Courage® program select their own bead for each milestone. Each site is
supplied with the handmade milestone beads. Additionally, some of the
donated beads are used to honor staff in our parallel Beads of Courage®
staff recognition program. Thank you for your interest in Beads of
Courage® and your enthusiasm and assistance to start the program for
children who receive treatment for cancer. Thank you too for your
dedication to the care you provide children with cancer. Sincerely, Jean
Baruch, RN, BSN, PhD(c) Beads of Courage® President and Program Director
Beads of Courage, Inc. www.beadsofcourage.net jbaruch@beadsofcourage.net
520-722-5915 (office phone) 520-331-1984 (cell phone)
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