Programs

As an auxiliary of Beckstrand Cancer Foundation, Four Pearls works to support the mission and programs of its parent organization. At the core of the Foundation are four innovative programs that provide direct assistance to fill the void for children and families coping with cancer, including:

Individual Patient Assistance (IPA) Program
Beckstrand’s Individual Patient Assistance (IPA) program is a flexible and adaptable solution for cancer patients in need – designed specifically to avoid unnecessary hardship by filling gaps in conventional social services. Dubbed the “missing link” by the oncology community, the IPA program works to complement the efforts of doctors and nurses who must keep an unwavering focus on treatment.

In addition to the physical pain suffered by those afflicted with cancer, often comes an unsurpassed emotional pain associated with the diagnosis. Normal work routines and family obligations can become complicated, and resources for needs such as rent, utilities, health insurance, transportation, treatment, medical co-payments, and food can quickly become a major challenge in the cancer patient’s fight for survival. Patients turn to Beckstrand’s IPA program when they begin to experience financial hardship as a result of their cancer diagnosis.

BELIEVE Holiday Program
During the winter holiday season – a time generally associated with comfort, happiness and carefree family unity – the pain, uncertainty, and confusion caused by a parent’s or child’s cancer can reach new heights. For those local families struggling to pay for cancer treatment or living for the first time without a paycheck, BELIEVE reaches out to provide the spirit of Christmas with a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus.

In the spirit of the season, gifts, toys, food, trees and holiday magic are delivered by a team of elves to families whose financial and physical limitations would otherwise deny them the traditional forms of celebration.

Psychosocial Pediatric Program
When a child is diagnosed with cancer, the experience of undergoing treatment can lead to feelings of stress, isolation and fear. Recognizing that the needs of young patients vary greatly from adult patients, Beckstrand’s Psychosocial Pediatric Program has been designed to provide children with a supportive, nurturing environment where they can learn appropriate coping skills and discover solutions to the memory impairment, socialization challenges, behavioral problems and learning disabilities that often accompany diagnosis and treatment. The program also addresses family-related issues, long-term effects, school reintegration, siblings and teen patients.

Through partnerships with distinguished medical programs staffed by dedicated and knowledgeable healthcare professionals, Beckstrand Cancer Foundation has developed a unique program that grants children and their families much-needed financial assistance, crisis intervention, behavioral and family support, preparation for medical procedures, and individual patient therapy.

Art Therapy Program
Beckstrand’s Art therapy program is an innovative way to help cancer patients better cope with their illness, communicate their physical and emotional needs, increase their self esteem and tender a sense of creativity and normalcy to their lives. In the program, patients use mixed media as powerful healing tools in professionally-led activities.

Studies show that patients who participate in art therapy from the first hospitalization demonstrate collaborative behavior, whereas these same patients had previously exhibited resistance and anxiety toward painful procedures such as lumbar punctures and bone marrow aspirations. Art therapy gives patients a safe way to express fear and anxiety by tapping into creativity. It uses a wide range of tools and techniques to encourage relaxation, communication and sharing in non-threatening ways.