The Insider - Spring 2008

Four Pearls, an auxiliary of Beckstrand Cancer Foundation, has brightened the day of each of Jonathan Jaques Children’s Cancer Center’s (JJCCC) patients since 2007. The organization has been generous in providing funding for programs and “extras” for our patients, along with special care kits.

Four Pearls was established in 2006 with the goal of improving and enhancing the quality of life of children, teens and families struggling with cancer. Lauren Collins and Veronica and Stephanie Muth started the organization with a group of friends to involve young professionals and corporations in making a difference in the lives of cancer patients throughout Orange and Los Angeles counties. The “fourth pearl” is Andi Collins, Lauren’s sister, who died from inflammatory breast cancer at age 16 in 2003. 

“We are very touched by Jonathan Jaques story and the meaningful connection to ours,” said Veronica Muth. “Our members have noted participating has been a rewarding and priceless experience, and we have noticed our interaction is what these children and families value most."

Within months of being formed, Four Pearls began to create an active relationship with JJCCC. In 2007, the organization put together an Easter party that included fun activities for the children, including the Easter Bunny Hop and an egg hunt. At that event, the Four Pearls volunteers met several patients who they befriended and felt a special bond toward. That bond led to sponsoring several of these patients at a JJCCC Torch Run. Four Pearls continues to sponsor the Torch Run today.

Later in 2007, the Four Pearls took on a large project—creating “Care Packages” for all JJCCC patients. They delivered 75 packages to all JJCCC patients as a way of introducing the children and their families to Four Pearls of Beckstrand Cancer Foundation and the services it offers. Each package included a special Four Pearls teddy bear, an iPod shuffle, a soft bath robe and a children’s book entitled “Why Me?,” which helps children cope with a diagnosis of cancer. Since 2007, every new pediatric cancer patient at JJCCC has received a Four Pearls Care Package.

“We combined our experience and understanding of cancer to help make their new journey more comfortable and shed some light on a tough situation,” Muth said. “The feedback we received is that the book has been a positive communication tool between parents and their children, and the iPOD has not only lightened spirits but has encouraged patients to get out of bed to go download some music. We just want each child to know that they are not alone, and there are people thinking of them.”

The Four Pearls of Beckstrand Foundation has also provided funding for:

• The new Ronald McDonald House currently under construction across the street from Miller Children’s Hospital. The $250,000 donation is going toward three suites specifically for families of children in the oncology ward.
• Educational Materials
• JJCCC’s Teen Program
• Arts & crafts materials, books & shelving for the PediatricOncology Playroom
• DVDs
• Laptops

The mission of Four Pearls of the Beckstrand Cancer Foundation is to raise funds to support Beckstrand Cancer Foundation’s Pediatric Oncology Program and to support the general mission of the Foundation to improve and enhance the quality of life of cancer patients and their families. The staff and patients at JJCCC thank them for their generosity

Downloadable Files: 

Miller's%20Newsletter-Please%20refer%20to%20page%203.pdf