Courage Tiger's Road Trip Day 19: Courage Roars in Idaho!

I made it to Idaho today! Passing through I met one of our members who is part of our Beads in the Mail Program! Beads of Courage is not in any hospitals in Idaho yet, but that doesn't stop us from helping children and teens who live there! 

Kellen is one of the members we support in Idaho through our Beads in the Mail Program. We ship his beads right to his front door since he does not receive them at his local hospital.

Kellen has been receiving beads for over three years for multiple chronic illnesses, such as Eosinophilic, Esophagitis, and Growth Hormone Deficiency to name a few! When I asked about what his favorite bead on his strand was, he looked at it and said “All of them! I like them all! I get them for being strong.” Along with the beads he receives with his program, Kellen has received Carry a Bead before as Act of Courage on tough days of treatment. He loves hearing all the fun stories that are behind the cool beads he receives! Before I left, Kellen told me why Beads of Courage was important to him: "I’m thankful because people think I’m important like my mom and dad."

Thanks Kellen for sharing your story with me, and for being a member that Makes Courage Roar! To help members like Kellen receive their Beads in the Mail, be participate and fund the mission through our 9^th 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