CARDEA BEADS - The support of a community for those facing cancer

Volunteer beadmakers, patients, their family and friends, are welcome to come and learn the process of glass beadmaking. Meet the artists who create the beads while you participate in the process and learn from our instructor, so you too can create beautiful glass beads.

The Program

Cardea Beads is a program designed to support families coping with cancer. Patients of all ages can tell their story, using colorful beads as meaningful symbols of courage that commemorate milestones they have achieved along their treatment path. Patients receive/select one bead for each treatment and over time, beads collected can be made into a key chain, necklace, or bracelet. Each string of beads becomes a keepsake that tells a story of strength, courage and hope.

Patients, family members and friends are invited to come to the flameworking studio and create their own beads or donate their time to make beads for other patients. The Cardea Bead program creates a tangible expression of your loved one’s journey.

WSG provides training for volunteers, friends and family members. There is no minimum commitment for number of beads produced or hours volunteered.

Materials are provided at no cost to participants thanks to a grant from the Corewell Health Foundation of Southwest Michigan. The Cardea Beads program is supported by Marie Yeager Cancer Center and Berrien County Cancer Service.

Upcoming Dates in the WSG Studio

Beadmakers are welcome to join us on the 1st and 4th Thursday of the month 6:00 - 9:00 pm. There are two different time slots, 6pm-7:30pm and 7:30pm-9pm:

NOTE: Enter through studio door behind the gallery (back parking lot).

You Can Make a Difference!

The need is greater now than when we began this program. Now, more than ever, it is essential to find ways to lift up our spirits. Patients’ faces light up when they enter the treatment clinic, stop at the counter, and select a bead to commemorate their continued fight for survival. Please consider a donation to continue the Cardea Bead program. Simply use the the link below and make a note that your contribution be applied to the Cardea Bead program. We appreciate your support!