Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Beads of Courage At Home Program?

The Beads of Courage® At Home Program is a special extension of our hospital-based Beads of Courage Flagship Program. Specially created for children, teens, adults, and families who do not have access to Beads of Courage through a hospital or clinic.

This resilience-based program empowers participants to honor and tell their personal stories of courage using colorful beads—each representing a moment of strength during a medical journey or life experience.

Why It Matters

Research shows that Beads of Courage beads helps reduce illness-related stress, promotes positive coping, and fosters a sense of identity and pride. At home, the program offers a tangible and meaningful way to celebrate courage, reflect on the journey, and share stories with family and community.

How does it work at home?

When enrolled, participants receive a Beads of Courage Journal (also known as the Bead Prescription), along with starter materials including beads that spell out their first name. From there, individuals or families can purchase beads that reflect their experiences—whether it’s treatment milestones, moments of bravery, or time spent in intensive care.

Each bead carries meaning and is a symbol of the courage shown during difficult times. The beads become part of a growing collection that tells a story—your story. 

Beads at Home Program – FAQs:

Q: What is the best way to apply for the Beads at Home Program?
A: Simply purchase an enrollment bundle.

Q: Can I give a gift of Beads At Home?
Family and Friends often want to gift Beads at Home to a child or teen they know. They can donate here and provide that child/teen's name. We will reach out to them to get them set up in our ordering system and apply a credit to their account to order their beads.

Q: How do I receive beads once I am enrolled in the Beads at Home program?
A:  You can log in monthly or a longer timeframe to order the Beads of Courage you need from our Beads at Home online ordering portal. - Please, due to our small team, do not order more than once a month!

Q: How do I know what beads my child should receive?
A:  Choose the enrollment bundle that best matches the treatment experiences you have. Including is your Bead Prescription, which will list each bead and the moment of courage it symbolizes. You can use that Bead Prescription as a guide to tally beads.  We recommend that you do your best to estimate.  It does not have to be exact, and we do not need to know the dates of your experiences. 

Q: Can I receive beads from past treatments?
A:  We use “100 Club Beads”  that represent 100 moments of courage displayed in the past during medical experiences. Please look over the “100 Bead” Catch-Up process.  However, you can order all the beads you need to tell your story through our Beads at Home online ordering portal.