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Bead Program Charts Kids' Journey Through Treatment
This year, the Buchalter family of Short Hills made a $25,000 gift to support Child Life Service at The Valerie Fund at Saint Barnabas and The Children's Hospital at Monmouth Medical Center. As part of their contribution their 13 year old daughter, Ali, decided to organize and implement the Bravery Hearts bead program for the two centers.
Here is how the Bravery Hearts program works; when a child begins their difficult journey with cancer, they receive a necklace with their name on it. As they undergo difficult treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation and surgery, they receive special plastic or wooden beads, called Bravery Hearts Beads, to commemorate these milestones. For example, if they receive chemotherapy they are awarded a multi-colored bead. If they have a lumbar puncture they get a fuchsia bead. The children wear their beads proudly as necklaces or wristbands, or attached to toys or IV poles. Sometimes the children give the necklaces to their parents to wear.
Ali took the initiative and the time to plan the project and get it off the ground. She sorted the beads, set up the bead cabinet for the Child Life Specialists, and delivered the beads to the two centers. Says Ali, "The Valerie Fund has helped a lot of my family's friends. I wanted to do something to thank The Valerie Fund and help other children at the same time. I am very interested in arts and crafts and the Bravery Hearts Bead program seemed like a perfect way for me to get involved. I think the beads will be very meaningful to all of the kids."
The necklaces document and honor the experience of the children's cancer treatments, enabling them to tell their unique story in a tangible, visual way. They become precious keepsakes that are viewed as medals or badges of courage. There is simply no easy way to describe the symbolic nature and power of the Bravery Hearts Bead program.
Thank you to Ali and the entire Buchalter family for initiating and supporting this program that supports the children who fight so valiantly to beat cancer.
The Valerie Fund's mission is to provide financial support for comprehensive health care of children with cancer and blood disorders.
A not-for-profit organization established in 1976 in memory of nine-year-old Valerie Goldstein by her parents, Ed and Sue, who saw the need for making quality outpatient care available close to a child's home. They realized that parents of sick children should not have to contend with exhaustive commutes to reach adequate medical care. Their grass-roots effort began in their basement with the help of dedicated friends and family.
Today, The Valerie Fund Children's Centers, located at major hospitals in the tri-state area, comprise one of the nation's largest networks of health care facilities for children with cancer and blood disorders. These centers treat more than 5,000 children with cancer and blood disorders.