Beads of Courage Program Honors Children’s Battles Against Cancer

Suffolk County Lions District 20S is proud to support the BEADS OF COURAGE ® Program for the pediatric cancer patients receiving treatment at the Stony Brook Cancer Center’s Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology.  The BEADS OF COURAGE® Program is a national program designed to honor the challenging journey that children take while experiencing cancer and related treatments.  A child receives a bead for procedures, tests and treatment milestones.  The collection of beads become a symbol of courage and serves to remind them, their family and friends of all they have accomplished along their treatment path. “When we’re treating a child with cancer, we don’t just focus on their medical issues, but on the social and emotional issues impacting the child – and the family. Doing what’s in the best interest of the individual child – medically, socially and psychologically – is at the heart of everything we do,” said Laura Hogan, MD, Chief, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology.

Beads of Courage provides children with something tangible to map the progress they make in their recovery, serving as a lasting reminder of their courage past and present, and builds important coping skills and resilience. “It’s more than just a bead,” says Lauren Sharaby, Certified Child Life Specialist. “It’s an outward symbol of everything the children go through. It has the power of turning something mundane and hurtful into something empowering and helps children feel connected to others going through the same process. It also gives them a sense of camaraderie, she says, and helps them realize that they’re not alone.”

Additional in-kind project support came from The Stony Brook University Hospital Volunteer Services via the donation of sewing materials and members of the Stony Brook Stitchers are volunteering their time, energy, and talents to lovingly create the Beads of Courage® Bead Bags. If you would like to make financial contribution to support this ongoing program, please contact Lauren Sharaby, Certified Child Life Specialist at lauren.sharaby@stonybrookmedicine.edu or call 631-638-0984.

Contact Melissa Melissa.Shampine@stonybrookmedicine.edu or Jan Jan.Tassie@stonybrook.edu if you are interested in participating in this project.