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Beads reward courage

Kiwanis-family clubs encourage sick kids with a special reward system.

Red, white, and purple—simple colors that have taken on a deeper meaning for children suffering from cancer and other serious illnesses.

Through the Beads of Courage program, hospitalized kids collect colored beads that represent milestones in their medical journey.

“This project gives the kids encouragement and a way to show what they’ve been going through,” says Betty Misch, president of the Kiwanis Club of Tucson-Sunshine, Arizona, which participates in the program.

Children receive a piece of string and beads spelling out their first names. After that, they’re awarded colorful beads that correspond to different types of treatment they receive. A red bead signifies a blood transfusion. A glow-in-the-dark bead represents radiation treatment. Coveted purple beads are given when treatments are completed.

The precious jewels can add up. One 3-year-old girl filled two full strands, which included 100 white beads for 100 days of chemotherapy.

Beads of Courage was founded by Jean Baruch, a pediatric oncology nurse in Tucson who realized that many of the children she treated needed a way to remember the different steps on their treatment path. Pretty soon, she had the support of Key Clubbers, Circle K’ers, and the Tucson-Sunshine Kiwanians. She
even joined the Kiwanis club. Jean’s program receives regular support from the Tucson-Sunshine Kiwanis club in the form of rent for a Beads of Courage store.

Jean had beads in her house,” says Betty. “She had beads in her garage.”

"The project is amazing,” says Betty. “It’s heartbreaking to hear about what the children go through. We’re happy to help.” —Karen Pyle Trent