Irishhealthhourchats with Chalet Brannan
Beads of Courage, Inc., an international nonprofit organization based in Tucson, Arizona, recently announced that 12-year-old actress Chalet Brannan will serve as an Official Ambassador for the organization.
Brannan was diagnosed with leukemia at age 10 and received the Beads of Courage Program during her hospitalization and treatment at Nemours Children's Hospital in Orlando, Florida. She was treated for stage 4 leukemia and has been cancer-free for 19 months.
Beads of Courage (BOC) was founded by a pediatric oncology nurse in 2005 with a mission to improve the quality of life for children and teens coping with cancer and other serious illnesses through innovative arts-in-medicine programs. Children enrolled in the core Beads of Courage Program receive colorful beads that commemorate treatment milestones, communicate their journey to others, and celebrate the strength and courage they must call upon on every day.
Beads of Courage now serves more than 60,000 children in 250 hospitals in the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.
“I remember so well stringing my Beads of Courage while I was fighting leukemia,” said Brannan. “The beads encouraged me and gave me hope. I want to let other people know about Beads of Courage and how the program helps children like me stay strong during treatment.”
Chalet Brannan is one of the fasting rising stars in Hollywood. Brannan, who began her career as a child model, has appeared in numerous commercials, television shows, and feature films. Top entertainment blogger “The Arriviste” called her the “Next Jodie Foster,” while iHeartRadiocompared her to Dakota Fanning, and iHorror likened her to Linda Blair. Chalet was twice nominated at the 2nd Annual Young Entertainer Awards,and also the 38th Young Artists Awards; at the latter, she was also a presenter that aired on PBS. She was nominated for Best Supporting Actress at the Idyllwild International Festival of Cinema for the feature Occupants, as well as sharing a double win for The Gate at the Widescreen Film Festival.
Brannan is signed for several films and series coming up, including: lead in Only a Dream with William Baldwin and Christian Kane; Junkie with Christian Kane; and recurring in the cable series Dystopia this summer with Michael Madsen. She is currently signed on as the lead in the movie A Gift from the Heart, starring John Schneider (Dukes of Hazzard) and Austin St. John (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers). The film is set for global release this holiday season. In addition to acting, Chalet is a spokesperson for Make a Wish Foundation and as a cancer survivor runs the Chalet Lizette Brannan Leukemia Foundation.
“It is really an honor to have the support of Chalet, who personally knows the importance of Beads of Courage,” said Jean Gribbon, founder and executive director of the organization. “Our hope is that children and teens who receive Beads of Courage globally will be encouraged by Chalet’s Ambassador role for Beads of Courage. We believe, like beads on a strand, we are all connected. Chalet will not only raise awareness for our organization, but her efforts will bestow honor and recognition upon those who receive Beads of Courage.”
The mission of Beads of Courage, Inc. is to provide innovative arts-in-medicine programs that improve the quality of life for children coping with serious illness, their families, and the clinicians who care for them. Beads of Courage programs are evidence-based interventions designed to strengthen resilience, alleviate suffering, and improve the psychosocial adjustment process. Beads of Courage, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. For more information or to donate, visit www.beadsofcourage.org.