X-Ray Bead

This round ceramic bead bears a picture of an x-ray. What are Hero Beads®?  Childhood cancer patients undergo an overwhelming number of medical procedures, often for years at a time. Faced with blood transfusions, surgery, bone marrow aspirates, lumbar punctures, and other invasive procedures, they often have to remain in the hospital for extended stays and sometimes travel to other cities for treatment.  The procedures can become a blur. The ACCO Hero Beads® Program combines art and medicine to help young cancer patients map out and cope with their treatment.  It acts as a physical record, keeping things from blurring together.