Sydney’s Coins for Courage
Sydney Newton's fundraiser for Childhood Cancer Awareness

On May 15th, 2009 at the age of five, I was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called Rhabdomyosarcoma. While trying to cope with the childhood cancer, I was introduced to a program called Beads of Courage at Children’s of Alabama. Beads of Courage helped me cope with the difficulties of having cancer. I received a bead for various steps in my journey like having chemotherapy treatments, radiation treatments, staying overnight... in the hospital, MRI/CT scans, blood and platelet infusions, losing my hair, and other special beads for overcoming my fears.

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and I have founded a fundraiser called Sydney’s Coins for Courage to help other children cope with cancer just as I did. During my journey and battle with cancer, I got to see and do some amazing things. My family was able to get special designed Space beads on two NASA space shuttle flights to the International Space Station. The STS-132 crew flew a set of seventeen beads upon Space Shuttle Atlantis in May 2010. A year later, the STS-134 crew flew thirty-five beads aboard Space Shuttle Endeavor in May 2011. These special beads are now a part of a traveling exhibit which will travel to hospitals across the United States to encourage other children battling cancer and life-threatening diseases. Beads of Courage has played such an important part of my healing and to celebrate Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, my goal is to raise funds to help encourage other children in their own battle. Beads of Courage supports nearly 100 hospitals across the nation and I want more children to be encouraged by them.

There are two ways to donate to this fundraiser. You can make donations through my online website at www.crowdrise.com/sydneycoinsforcourage or you can visit one of the businesses listed below starting on 09/03/2011 to deposit loose coins, paper money, or checks made payable to Beads of Courage. All donations are tax-deductible and all online donations receive a receipt of your donation.

Please help me raise funds to encourage other children battling childhood cancer! You can encourage other children by donating to my fundraiser. Even $5.00 can make a difference in another child's life.

On August 28th, 2011 at the age of seven, I have stood cancer-free for fifteen months. Help me celebrate life and helping others by donating to this worthy fundraiser!

To deposit loose coins, paper money, or checks payable to Beads of Courage, please visit these businesses starting on 09/03/2011:

U.G. White General Mercantile - Athens, AL.

Pimentos - Athens, AL.

Preston's Western Wear - Athens, AL.

DanTera Salon & Day Spa - Athens, AL.

DanTera II Salon & Day Spa - Madison, AL.

To learn more about me and my journey, you can also visit my website at: www.caringbridge.org/visit/sydneynewton

Thank for your support!

Sydney Newton
1st Corinthians 16:13 

To Donate to Sydney's  Coins for Courage go to: www.crowdrise.com/sydneycoinsforcourage/fundraiser/sydneynewton

www.blog.al.com/spotnews/2011/09/space_beads_part_of_program_to.html