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We are proud to say that the Pediatric Oncology Nurses/Nurse Practitioners implemented the Beads of Courage Program at Mayo Clinic using money received from the Kids Cup in 2008. The program is a resilience-based intervention designed to support and strengthen children and families dealing with a serious illness. The children tell their story of treatment using colorful beads as meaningful symbols of their accomplishments and experience along their treatment journey. The Beads of Courage journey begins with the child receiving a length of string and beads to spell out their first names. Additional beads are then added to represent different treatment milestones such as clinic visits, chemotherapy and radiation treatment, scans, emergency room visits, transfusion, and surgeries as just a few examples. The beads of the necklace tell the child’s personal story.
Patients are told to bring their necklaces to the clinic at each visit to have more beads added to symbolize their journey. The children are always eager to share their experiences and keep a journal to keep track of any interval milestones. The beads may be given out by the clinical assistants, nurses, nurse practitioners or physicians, and it is obvious to all that the meaning behind the necklace is priceless, not merely beads strung on a string, but a symbol of strength and pride.
We are very proud to have this program in the Division of Pediatric Oncology. It is wonderful to see the smiles it brings to the children and we must say the staff enjoys being able to share this experience with the children.
Watch the below video to hear what these two children have to say about taking part in the Beads of Courage Program here at Mayo Clinic.
-Donna L. Betcher, R.N., C.N.P. and Julia A. Gourde, R.N., C.N.P.
You are all doing great work! Congrats! The Thoma’s Mound, MN
beautiful!
What a wonderful program. Do they do this for adults as well? I think children of all ages would benefit from this program!
What a great idea! Thank you for all you do for these special little patients!
Very moving. What a great program!
I could just hug these two little kids for their courage and all they have been thru. I think the bead program is wonderful.
What a wonderful program for these kids. Eric and Hannah have been through so much and are so brave and strong. The beads of courage is a wonderful way to reward them for all the tests and chemo they have had. Thank you for this great program.
Way to go Erik think positive you can do it.
This is such a fantastic program. I am soooooooooooo impressed with you Eric and Hannah too!! You are very brave and strong children, and We are sooooooo proud of your progress!! Keep the positive attitude!! I wish I could have taught you in school. If you are anything like Adam, YOU ARE A WONDERFUL PERSON!!!It appears that you are just that!!!
Keep up the great work with your “Beads” program. Blessings to you!
Erik and Hannah, way to go you are both very courageous children with a great future. Hope the adult can take an example from you little people good bead program