Beads of Courage

08/21/2026

💛 Why beads? Lauren’s story says it beautifully.

“Beads of Courage provides a physical representation of the journey our daughter has been on. From diagnosis to each milestone, these beads mean so much. When faced with a difficult task that was hard, Lauren looked forward to getting her bead as a reward to symbolize her courage to get through!

We are so thankful to the sponsors of this wonderful program. Beads of Courage have helped give our warrior a voice to share her story.”
— Lauren’s Mom 💛

That’s why the beads matter.

For a child coping with cancer or another serious illness, each bead recognizes a treatment, procedure, milestone or moment when they called upon their courage. Over time, those beads become a tangible way for a child to record, tell and own their story of courage.

And right now, we need your help getting more beads into the hands of brave kids.

Our Summer Challenge is $6,866 away from our $20,000 goal. Funds raised will help us replenish our bead supply so we can continue shipping the beads children and teens need in hospitals across the country.

Will you help us close the gap?

💛 $25 helps. $50 helps. $100 helps. Every gift gets us closer—and helps get beads where they belong: in the hands of brave kids like Lauren.

GIVE TODAY: link in bio!
https://beadsofcourage.networkforgood.com/projects/300565-beads-of-courage-summer-challenge-2026

Help brave kids get the beads they need. 💛

08/21/2026

👻 LAST CHANCE! Tonight is the final night to get our Retro Arcade Ghost Bead!

Make a $30+ gift to the Beads of Courage Summer Challenge before the day ends, and we’ll send you this limited artist-made bead as our thank-you. 💛

More importantly, your gift helps provide the beads children coping with cancer and other serious illnesses need to honor their courage and tell their stories.

We’re working toward our $20,000 Summer Challenge goal, and every gift tonight moves us closer.

👻 Give $30 or more tonight. Get a special bead. Help brave kids get the beads they need.

DONATE: https://beadsofcourage.networkforgood.com/projects/300570-be-fierce-for-brave-kids

One Retro Arcade Ghost Bead per donor. U.S. only.

08/20/2026

Courage Tiger is taking Carry a Bead to festival season!

Heading to a concert or music festival? Take our Carry a Bead: Music Edition along for the experience and carry encouragement for a child or teen facing serious illness.

Get yours here: https://shoptosupport.beadsofcourage.org/products/cabmusic1001p

🎵 Share an uplifting lyric that inspires you
📸 Show us where you Carry a Bead
🏷️ Tag so we can follow along!

Music connects us. Beads connect us. Where will you Carry a Bead? 🎶💛

08/19/2026

One bead at a time, a story of courage is told. 💛

We’re proud to share this beautiful story from Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, highlighting how Beads of Courage helps children and teens coping with serious illness, and their families, RECORD, TELL and OWN their stories of COURAGE while supporting emotional healing, connection and resilience throughout their healthcare experiences.

Behind every Beads of Courage program is another powerful story: the story of collaboration.

Bringing our programs to children and families requires healthcare professionals, donors, foundations, businesses and communities coming together around a shared purpose.

We are especially grateful for the generosity of the Nashville Predators Foundation, The Brett Boyer Foundation, and Ace Hardware, whose support has helped make Beads of Courage programs possible at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.

Thank you for believing in our mission and helping children and families coping with serious illness RECORD, TELL and OWN their stories of COURAGE through the art form of beads. 💛

This partnership shows what is possible when community, purpose and collaboration come together to provide the essential emotional support needed to cope with serious illnesses.

And right now, there are several Beads of Courage programs across the United States that need funding.

Companies, foundations, community organizations and individuals can help make it possible for another healthcare program to bring Beads of Courage to the children and families they support.

Right now, several Beads of Courage programs across the United States are in need of program funding partners.

Could you or your organization help make a Beads of Courage program possible for children, teens, and families coping with serious illness? We would love to talk with you.

📩 Contact [email protected] to learn about program funding opportunities across the United States.

Together, we can help more children, teens, and their families receive Beads of Courage that tell their story of courage, honor, and hope.

🔗 Read the story from Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt:
https://news.vumc.org/2026/08/07/one-bead-at-a-time-strung-together-tells-story-of-pediatric-patients-health-journeys/

The Beads of Courage Program provides innovative arts-in-medicine programs for children coping with serious illness, their families, and the clinicians who care for them.

08/18/2026

Summer Bead of the Season, part of the 2026 Bead of the Season Collection. Hand-crafted to support the mission of Beads of Courage by award-winning glass bead artist and Beads of Courage Hall of Fame artist: Donna Conklin Donna K Conklin

https://shoptosupport.beadsofcourage.org/products/summer-bead-of-the-season-2026

Artist inspiration:

“My lampwork shell beads are an exploration of the ocean’s quiet perfection. Using molten glass and a direct flame, I capture the delicate ridges and coastal hues of the ocean. Each one crafted to bring the serene, grounding energy of the sea to those who wear it.” - Donna Conklin

About the Artist:

“I’m a lifelong artist and have been a glass bead maker for over 20 years. Born and raised in the beach cities of California, my inspiration usually comes from the colors of the ocean and beaches.”- Donna Conklin

About Bead of the Season 2026 Series:

This series offers an exclusive, limited-edition, artist-made glass bead, commissioned by Beads of Courage. Only 100 beads are available each season! Link in bio- shop to support!

08/17/2026

Today, on National Nonprofit Day, we’re simply grateful. ❤️

To every person who volunteers, donates, shares our mission, celebrates our impact, and helps us support children and families through their most challenging moments — thank you!

Your generosity, time, and belief in our mission makes Beads of Courage possible. Every bead tells a story of courage, and behind every story is a community of people who have the courage to care.

We are so grateful you are part of ours.

08/16/2026

“Verity’s Beads of Courage serve as a visual reminder of her strength, courage, and resilience as she grows up. I hope her Beads will serve as proof that no mountain is too big for her to summit. They also served as a lifeline for me during our lengthy hospital admission. Charting her accomplishments and putting together her lanyard gave me purpose and helped reshape some of the bad experiences into victories.”
- Kelsey, Verity’s Mother