supporting the Children's Hospital
Bravery Hearts
Bravery Heart Necklaces are sold to support the Bravery Beads Program at Children's Hospitals around the world. The University of Maryland Children's Hospital is a hospital that sells these necklaces in order to provide hope to children with cancer. The necklaces are handmade of glass beads with a beautiful Czech glass heart emblem.
Bravery Beads Program
When a child begins their difficult journey with cancer, they are given 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 Heart 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 (see enclosed bead legend). The children wear their beads proudly as necklaces or wristbands, or attached to toys, IV poles and sometimes parents.
The necklaces document and honor the experience of their cancer treatments, enabling the children 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.
Testimonials
“The Bravery Hearts program has been the most successful and beneficial program that has been implemented for the Hematology and Oncology population. The patients and families love the program and the staff enjoys helping kids create the visual journey through their treatment. With the ever growing responsibilities of Child Life Specialists, one of the most valuable aspects of Bravery Hearts is the simplicity of implementation and maintenance of the program. I don’t think I can ever truly express how wonderful Bravery Hearts is and how much of an impact it has made on our patients.”
—Becky Wimsatt
Child Life Specialist
University of Maryland Medical Center
To learn more about Bravery Hearts please visit https://www.braveryhearts.com/
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