Welcome to my fundraising page! I am very excited to raise money for Beads of Courage because I believe in beads and the stories they tell! Thank you for supporting my RIDE FOR COURAGE with your donation today. All funds raised go directly to Beads of Courage.
Please help me raise money for this amazing non-profit I have the honor to work for! Beads of Courage has over 400 programs worldwide that help children coping with serious illness, burn injury recovery, and NICU stays RECORD, TELL and OWN their stories of COURAGE! Many of you know that I have used the program as a child life specialist at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. There I was able to honor the tremendous courage I saw every.single.day as these kids, teens and young adults fought for their lives and coped with life-long cardiac conditions. The generosity of donors who make it possible for someone like me to honor courage in such an amazing way is just downright awesome! Even a donation of $10 or $25 makes a big difference!
Then almost 9 years ago my bestest girl was born. Unexpectedly, we were on the flip side - we were the patient and family in the NICU! Ah, the memories and tears come flooding back! About 2 years ago, Amelia said to me, "Mommy, tell me about those beads I have". Because of Beads of Courage and the collection I had from her time in the NICU after birth, I was able to tell her story - our family's story - of courage in a way that infused strength, hope and courage in each photo she saw of herself in the incubator, with tubes, bruises, IV's, etc. A story, although scary for mommy when it was happening, transformed into strength and courage. In that moment of our reflection, the deepest anxiety and fears I pushed to the back of my heart were transformed into something positive! To say - "Even when you were a baby, you were so strong!!! You CAN do hard things!!!" (Now I am telling this to my daughter, but also to myself!!!)
Thank you Beads of Courage for allowing me to have such an amazing way to share my daughter's birth story with her and help in my own emotional recovery!
Your support for my ride in El Tour - supports all those who wish to have Beads of Courage to help RECORD, TELL and OWN their stories of COURAGE! I ride for them all. If they can do hard things, I can too. Your support is appreciated!
Beads of Courage
Join Team Beads of Courage and RIDE FOR COURAGE in the 38th El Tour de Tucson on November 20, 2021! All we ask is that you raise $450 by October 20, 2021 to officially make the team! Benefits include your El Tour registration fee paid by us, exclusive Team BOC cycling apparel, a pre-race team party* and much more. Best of all, you'll experience the awesome feeling of knowing you’re making a difference in the lives of children coping with cancer and other serious illnesses. Make your miles matter more when you RIDE FOR COURAGE with Team BOC!
(*pending COVID restrictions)
The mission of Beads of Courage is to provide innovative arts-in-medicine programs for children coping with cancer and other serious illnesses. Through our flagship Beads of Courage Program, children receive colorful beads that visually symbolize moments of courage along their treatment journey. Our organization improves the quality of life of more than 60,000 children receiving treatment for a serious illness in 400 children's hospitals in eight countries. Be part of our #beadstrong community and help children record, tell and own their stories of courage!