I saw a lot of beautiful things in Tucson. As my Visa card can attest, I brought a few too many of them home with me. One of the most beautiful things I saw, however, weren't gemstones. They were the photos of children that decorated the Beads of Courage booth.

Beads of Courage is a program that honors the struggles and triumphs experienced by children fighting cancer.

Any child who receives treatment for cancer is eligible to become a member of Beads of Courage. New members are first given a string of beads that spell out their first name. Then, colorful beads that visually represent each child's treatment path are added to tell each their unique story of courage.

No one loves beads more than the staff of BeadStyle, but even we admit they can't cure cancer. But, we love the fact that a very clever and compassionate individual has thought of a way to use them to bring a bit of sunshine to difficult times

Tucson nurse Jean M. Baruch is the founder of the Beads of Courage program and president of Beads of Courage. Inc. She is a former staff nurse and research senior nurse at the University of Arizona. She credits the inspiration for the program to a similar one begun in British Columbia.

Beads of Courage also has support groups for families, as well as bereavement programs and camps for children. Bead artists throughout the world have donated one-of-a kind, handmade glass beads which children get when they undergo an unusual or especially difficult cancer treatment.

If you would like more information, know of a child who would benefit from the program, or if you would like to help, visit the Beads of Courage Web site. There are a number of opportunities to support this wonderful effort.