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On February 7, 2026, Beads of Courage was proud to recognize Noah’s Legacy Foundation for their sponsorship of the National Beads of Courage Trade Bead for the support of kids and teens coping with cancer conditions, their families,  and the clinicians who care for them:

The Dragonfly Bead was made by Beads of Courage Hall of Fame Artist, Donna Conklin:

“May this dragonfly bead be a symbol of courage, love, and hope. A reminder that hope lifts us, courage carries us, and we are supported by many who walk this path together.”The Dragonfly Bead was inspired by Noah Latronica and all children, teens, and families facing cancer.

Every child carries within them the spirit of a dragonfly—a symbol of dreams and endless possibilities. As they navigate challenges, these young warriors inspire with their courage and resilience. Much like dragonflies, they illuminate a path of hope and discovery, reaffirming that anything is possible. Their vibrant spirits inspire and remind us all to embrace the journey ahead with optimism and strength.<

This bead will relaunch the Beads of Courage Trade Bead Exchange. This exchange is a symbol of our shared story of courage, honor, and hope through the gift of Beads of Courage.

On Saturday, Noah’s mom, Sara Latronica, shared this with Beads of Courage and all who attended our Beads, Bands, and Beer Festival: 

“Once upon a time, these two little boys had the most amazing big brother, Noah.

Noah was an incredible blessing to the world from the very moment he arrived in June 2016. He immediately filled our lives with joy that we could barely comprehend. However, just a few months later, our world was turned upside down when Noah became seriously ill. After countless appointments and tests, we found ourselves at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh in January 2017. It was during his first CT scan that we received the heartbreaking news that Noah had brain cancer at just six months old.

In a heartbeat, Noah’s life became a whirlwind filled with medical challenges. He entered the fight of his life and spent the next 42 nights in the hospital between the ICU, Recovery and Oncology Units. During that time, he endured over 80 pokes from needles, encountered more than 60 therapy sessions, underwent 3 brain surgeries, had central lines placed, received chemotherapy, and was on a ventilator multiple times. Those first few months are a blur.

Over the next five years, Noah faced more difficult hurdles than I can adequately list. He displayed a strength and resilience that has left a permanent mark on our hearts and the hearts of thousands that followed his journey through the years. Tragically, Noah’s Story ended far too soon when we lost him on August 9th 2022 at just 6 years and 2 months old. 

Every challenge he faced, every night spent in the hospital, every poke, and every milestone achieved earned him a bead. Though he is not here to admire or cherish these beads, we are left to hold onto their significance. Each bead represents not only his struggles but also his triumphs—the essence of who Noah was and the incredible journey he courageously faced. I keep his first strand of beads hanging in my car, on my rearview mirror, so that I am reminded every day of the remarkable strength he embodied.

Now, over three years since Noah’s passing, we are honored to collaborate with Beads of Courage. This collaboration allows us to use these beads to continue sharing Noah’s story and to help others find strength through the introduction of the Dragonfly Bead.

Just a week after Noah’s passing, our family sought healing at the beach, hoping to escape the emptiness of our home. On that first day, something truly magical happened. An orange dragonfly hovered around my head for several minutes before landing on a stick right next to me. When I offered my hand, it climbed onto my finger. As we cried, we felt strongly that it was our first sign from Noah—his spirit reaching out to us. 

Since then, the dragonfly has brought comfort to our family whenever it appears, whether it’s a real dragonfly, a picture on a wall, or even a word in a book. The dragonfly serves as a reminder of our incredibly strong boy and the strength we need to carry on without him.

Each dragonfly bead is more than just a physical object; it signifies the journey of a brave warrior and honors their trials and triumphs along the way. It symbolizes the enduring hope that their spirit remains vibrant and serves as a reminder that even in our darkest moments, courage and resilience can light the path ahead.

I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Jean and the incredible team at Beads of Courage for giving us this opportunity to partner and for creating such a meaningful bead. Thank you all for allowing me to share a piece of our family’s story today. May each bead we share inspire strength and comfort for those navigating their own journeys.”

Sara Latronica