Big Tucson fundraiser set for Beads of Courage

“This is a really fun music festival with live bands and vendors where people can walk around and get to know Beads of Courage and be inspired by our mission," said Sarena Rivera, a certified Child Life Specialist and Director of Beads of Courage Experiences. "People can participate in bead stringing activities and enjoy Special Eats food truck and craft beer from Dragoon Brewery ...  it is really cool and we hope people come and hang out because when they come to support us, they support kids all over the world."

Founded locally more than 20 years ago, Beads of Courage enables children with serious and/or chronic illnesses to chronicle their health journeys through beads, which are given to honor their courage during medical procedures and treatments. The nonprofit’s innovative programming has since expanded to more than 400 children’s hospitals in nine countries.

“Beads make invisible moments of hardship at the hospital visible for others," Rivera said. "They can see how many times kids have been poked and how many transfusions and treatments they have had. When people see long strands of beads, they can see what the kids have been through and that is very encouraging to the children and families. Giving a bead is giving a moment of human connection and caring."

She understands that connection firsthand. Her son, Ryder, 10, is a member of Beads of Courage.

When Rivera was pregnant, Ryder had an in-utero stroke. He has Spastic Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy and has undergone extensive therapy — occupational, physical and speech — and other treatments since he was a toddler. Ryder has collected hundreds of “rainbow” beads representing the therapy sessions, and while he still experiences challenges, Rivera said he is doing “better than we could have hoped for.”

“He loves his beads, and for me, as a mom, they show all the work my husband and I did to make sure he was getting the help and support he needed,” Rivera said.

She said that the beads also help create rapport between members — who range in age from newborns through young adults — and their families.

“People take them very seriously: They see the beads as badges of honor. They create instant connections and bring people together. People want to be involved,” Rivera said.

Angela Aguilar has felt the pull of the volunteer-driven organization. The University of Arizona junior, who aspires to become a child life specialist, began volunteering in October.

“The environment is amazing. The people around me are very positive,” said Aguilar, who prepares packages of beads for shipment to hospitals worldwide.

“It is cool because I feel it is kind of representative of me. From my understanding, I was born premature and was in the NICU for a month, and then was transferred to a nursing home for five months, so it really resonates with me,” she said.