The treatment of childhood cancer usually takes a long time and is hard. As the treatment continues a child might become more reluctant to co-operate with the necessary procedures. Knowing that there is a reward waiting at the end of the procedure improves the child's attitude. This is where the Chain of Courage (KanjerKetting) comes in. The Chain of Courage is a system that is used during the entire course of treatment. Children receive a special bead after every treatment, intervention
Childhood cancer treatment takes a long time and is hard and over time a child may become more reluctant to co-operate. Knowing that there is a reward waiting at the end of the procedure improves the child's attitude. The beads are a small reward for each intervention and stringing these beads enhances the meaning of each single bead. Children are looking forward to adding another bead to their Chain.
A child feels more in control as the beads make the different parts of the treatment visible. The child can 'read' its chain with his parents and talk about what has happened. Parents use the Chain to prepare their child for upcoming treatment. Chain of Courage helps to talk with others about treatment thus increasing understanding.
The Chain of Courage which may become very long, represents the personal story of the child and can be very important for emotional adjustment, not only during treatment but also after. It visualizes a long & hard journey and is often kept as a special treasure. Children diagnosed with cancer generally have a good prognosis; nevertheless some of the children diagnosed will die of their disease despite therapy. For the parents and siblings of these children, the Chain provides a concrete memory.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
