Becca Gladden – Why Beads Matter More to Me Than Ever
Dear Friend,
Hello! My name is Becca Gladden. If you have been around Beads of Courage for any length of time, you might recognize my name. We might have even connected on social media or by email.
You see, I have been affiliated with Beads of Courage since 2010, when I first connected with the organization and began working as a freelance communications specialist.
Over the past 15 years I have held various positions, but always with the same goal: to support the mission of this incredible nonprofit organization, which I believe in with all my heart, and to be of service to the amazing families and kids we help through the healing power of art.
As you may know, when Beads of Courage was first created and implemented by our founder, Jean Gribbon, the goal was to support children diagnosed with cancer. Jean had been a pediatric oncology nurse and her vision evolved from her real-life observations at the bedside, caring for kids going through chemotherapy and other types of treatment.
Jean saw the need for some way to honor the courage of the children she was caring for, and provide them with the encouragement they needed to fight the battles they faced every day.
From its humble beginnings in 2003, at first operating out of Jean’s garage, Beads of Courage has grown to a respected international organization providing programs in 400 children’s hospitals and eight countries. Due to demand, we have expanded the flagship program to support kids with cardiac and chronic conditions, traumatic injuries, burns, and even babies in the NICU.
I bring this up now because in June 2024 I myself was diagnosed with cancer.
I share this with you not as a way to gain sympathy or attention, but as a way to share my perspective as an adult coping with a life-altering illness, just like the kids we support.
Ten years ago, I wrote the following about the Beads of Courage program, and I think the words still hold true today:
Children who are diagnosed with a serious illness are thrust into a confusing world of needle pokes, medical treatments, and long hospital stays away from the comforts of home. These children face daily challenges with strength and courage. But they need something to hold onto on tough treatment days; something that reminds them how far they’ve come, and encourages them to keep going.
That’s where Beads of Courage comes in.
The signature Beads of Courage program uses colorful beads as meaningful symbols of courage that commemorate milestones during treatment.
Each bead represents something a child had to endure, but also gives them a way to say, “I did it!”
The Beads of Courage program makes children happy. It helps them cope with treatment and restores their confidence and self-worth. It encourages them to stay strong and feel proud of what they have accomplished. It gives them a way to record, tell and own their stories of courage!
These words and the sentiments behind them have always been meaningful to me. But their importance has been magnified a thousand times since I received my own diagnosis.
Now I truly understand what it’s like to be “thrust into a confusing world of needle pokes, medical treatments, and long hospital stays away from the comforts of home.” I realize more than ever the need to find something that helps you cope with treatment and restores your sense of confidence and self-worth.
Knowing now how scary and difficult it is to go through this as an adult helps me recognize the remarkable strength and courage of the kids we support as they face life’s biggest challenge.
As adults, we have advantages that children may not – perhaps the ability to speak to our care team in adult terms, to ask important questions, to understand what is happening and why. We can tell peers about our medical journey with our grown-up communication skills.
For kids, Beads of Courage is their storytelling tool, and every bead tells their story of courage, honor, and hope. A child’s bead collection is their courage made visible for the world to see. It’s courage you can hold.
Now comes the hard part: a personal plea for your help.
The need to raise funds is ever-present for nonprofits, especially those that do not have the same fame or star power as the big-name organizations. We don’t often share these burdens with you, but we desperately need to raise money RIGHT NOW to be able to continue providing the nearly 14 million beads we distribute annually. We are proud to offer beads that are made especially for Beads of Courage, but costs continue to rise dramatically for everything from printing and shipping to the price we pay for the beads themselves.
If this program has ever touched you – if you have ever witnessed the way a child’s eyes light up when they receive their beads – then please help us put beads in the hands of these courageous little fighters today.
We know through the testimonies of families and caregivers that beads given at the bedside are spirit lifting, which can be lifesaving in the moment.
Won’t you please help today?
Donate and help provide the beads kids need today
With sincere and heartfelt gratitude,
Becca Gladden
