Here is a heartwarming article about Children with Cancer marking their TX progress with various beads. I really liked the acronym: [quote]What Children's Hospital calls its BEADS program -- Bravery, Endurance, Achievement, Determination, Strength -- began in 2004. [/quote]
Here is the link to the whole article but for those who just want a taste, here is another excerpt
[quote]The four beaded necklaces around Carsten Connolly's neck make the Arlington County 10-year-old look like a particularly lucky Mardi Gras reveler. But his necklaces aren't souvenirs from New Orleans. They're what you might call hard-earned battlefield decorations.

"Each bead is on there for each treatment I've gone through,"[/quote]
Cancer BEADS
Charm