Kisses4Kates sponsors Beads of Courage | Health

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (WGHP) - Kisses4Kate is now the proud sponsor of Beads of Courage at Brenner Children's Hospital.

This is a new program for children with cancer.  For each treatment milestone the children undergo, they receive beads as symbols of honor and accomplishment for their courage and what they go through.  Different color beads have different meanings, allowing children to share the story of their treatment journey with beads.  Many of them receive over 500 beads throughout the course of their treatment (hair loss, chemo, bone marrow transplant, etc). 

Jean Baruch, the executive director of Beads of Courage will conduct the training program at Brenner Children's Hospital on February 8.  The beads of courage program is currently in over 70 childrens hospitals in the United States.

Kisses4Kate started as a way to raise money for Kate Thornton's family to buy a house.  Kate was just five-years-old and battling leukemia.  Her last wish was for her family to live together comfortably under one roof.  That wish came true thanks to donations from people in the Piedmont.  Even though Kate lost her battle to cancer, friends continued raising money in her memory to help other families.  The organization is called Kisses4Kate and sponsoring Beads of Courage at Brenner Children's Hospital is one way the organization keeps Kate's memory alive.