Courage Tiger's Road Trip Day 34: Hannah's Beads in Minnesota

Hannah posing with her Beads of Courage!

I’m in Minnesota for one last day, and even though we have a few member hospitals here, we still send support children and teens here who don’t receive treatment at one of these programs. Hannah is one of these amazing members in our Beads in the Mail Program!

Hannah found out about Beads of Courage when she was 13. Her doctor noticed that she loved playing with beads, and even had beads hanging from her IV pole, so they introduced her to the program! Hannah was diagnosed with Juvenile Refractory Myasthenia Gravis and had to move to a different hospital that does not have Beads of Courage. So what did we do? We continued to support her through Beads in the Mail! Hannah has been in treatment for years, and is nearing her 600^th plasmapheresis.  She has even had 68 surgeries on her fistula/left arm. She also gets tons of fresh frozen plasma transfusions, and is at the "day hospital" at least 3-4 days a week. When I asked why she loves her beads, she simply said

Hannah's beautiful Beads!

“Thankfully my beads are the 'same,' they are the one constant, the color meanings are always the same and make such a hard time easier and beautiful. It also helps others understand what I'm going through and how intense this battle is! I don't get much say for what all happens to me, but I can record and make sure I've gotten every bead I've earned, it brings beauty back, but is also an important means of control I'd be wayyy lost without!”

Hannah posing with her Beads!

Thanks, Hannah, for sharing your inspirational story with me. We are honored to help you record, tell, and own your story of courage. Help support hundreds of others like Hannah who receive their Beads in the Mail by funding the mission and participating in the 9th Annual Bead Challenge!

Courage Tiger’s 2017 Road Trip is a feature of the 9th Annual Bead Challenge, a three-month nationwide fundraiser and beadraiser for Beads of Courage. As the official Beads of Courage mascot, Courage Tiger is visiting all 50 states to highlight the incredible work our organization does by sharing stories of our courageous members, families, clinicians, and the caring community of artists and supporters who make our vital work possible. Please get involved in Bead Challenge 2017 by visiting www.beadchallenge.org today. Sign up to PARTICIPATE as a fundraiser, CREATE glass beads, or DONATE to the cause. With your help, we can Make Courage Roar for kids coping with serious illness! Many thanks to Bead Challenge 2017 presenting sponsor Northwestern Mutual and supporting sponsor Soda Lime Times.


- Contributed by Cristal Rogers, Marketing and Communications Intern, Beads of Courage