Tucson non-profit Beads of Courage has grown to have a global reach. "Annually our organization distributes 14 million beads to kids in 400 children's hospitals in nine countries.

Others manned bead stations with activities honoring siblings and parents, and some handed out Certificates of Courage and helped patients weigh their bead collections.

Then, two years ago, her heart weakened, and Maddie wound up back in Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, where a child life specialist told her about the Beads of Courage program.

Founded in 2005, Beads of Courage coordinates with health care workers at hospitals to help children suffering from serious illness cope with their treatment through art.

Awarding children color-coded beads at various stages of their treatment doubles as a tangible journal of sorts for children too young to record events by calendars or diaries.

THE parents of a heroic boy who beat cancer and was within minutes of dying from septicemia are bringing a groundbreaking project over the UK.

The sixth annual Beads of Courage Colour Festival Fun Run Saskatchewan took place in Saskatoon on Sunday.