Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Reina Beach. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Reina, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?
My resilience comes from being Elliott’s mom. When my son was diagnosed with Burkitt lymphoma at just eight years old, our world turned upside down. Elliott didn’t feel brave or strong, he was terrified. He felt like everything was happening to him, completely out of his control. I remember telling him what we now say in our books: Being brave doesn’t mean you’re not scared—it means facing something scary and doing it anyway.
Elliott didn’t see the courage in himself, but I saw it every day. He endured endless tests, painful procedures, and the constant uncertainty of what came next, yet he kept going. That quiet, unacknowledged bravery inspired me to find my own strength.
As a parent, you don’t get the option to fall apart. You have to be your child’s advocate, their comfort, their constant. I had no roadmap for what we were going through, but I leaned on Elliott’s resilience and my deep determination to make his experience as manageable as possible.
Now, through Hello Brave, I want to provide other families with the resources we didn’t have, so they feel supported, informed, and empowered to face whatever challenges come their way.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am one of the co-founders of Hello Brave, a nonprofit organization dedicated to making the medical world less scary for kids. Our mission is to provide children and their families with the tools and resources they need to navigate complex medical challenges with confidence and understanding.
The idea for Hello Brave came from my own experience as a parent. When my son Elliott was diagnosed with cancer, I felt lost. I was desperate to find ways to explain his diagnosis and treatment in a way he could understand. I scoured Google and leaned heavily on my sister, Nina, a doctor, to bridge the gaps in understanding. Even with her guidance, there weren’t enough resources tailored for kids. There were no children’s books on cancer that made him feel seen, understood, or empowered. That’s why we started Hello Brave, to create what I couldn’t find during Elliott’s journey.
Our books introduce kids to a Brave Buddy, a whimsical, wise guide who walks them through difficult diagnoses, treatments, or procedures. These Brave Buddies explain what’s happening, answer big questions, and offer encouragement to help kids face their fears. Our first two published books, A Brave Kid’s Guide to Lymphoma and A Brave Kid’s Guide to Leukemia, are just the beginning. We have a third in progress that will be completed soon, A Brave Kid’s Guide to Chemotherapy, and then we are building a library of books covering a range of pediatric medical topics, from chronic illnesses to common medical procedures like central lines, surgeries, and overnight hospital stays.
In addition to our books, we are developing an educational program that builds awareness and compassion within school communities for kids with medical diagnoses. After my son Elliott’s treatment, reintegrating into school was a tough experience. He felt isolated, as his classmates didn’t know how to treat him or talk about his cancer. His story, along with similar experiences shared by other families, highlighted the need for curriculum that educates not only the child and family but the child’s community. Our program will partner with school staff to bring our resources into the classroom, fostering empathy, understanding, and support, while helping kids reintegrate smoothly and combat isolation or bullying.
What makes Hello Brave truly special is our team. Each of us brings a unique perspective and an unwavering passion for this mission. Nina Gonzalez, MD, MPH, our author, combines her medical expertise with a deep understanding of health literacy to create content that is both accurate and accessible. Anna Mischke, our illustrator, uses her whimsical and heartfelt artistry to bring light and joy to kids, making even the scariest topics approachable. Brooke Healy, M.Ed., our educator, ensures that our materials are engaging and educational, thoughtfully designed to meet kids where they are developmentally. And I contribute the parent perspective, drawing from my personal experience of guiding Elliott through his cancer journey. Together, we are not just creating books, we are building hope and empowerment for kids and their families as they navigate some of life’s toughest challenges.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back, the journey of getting through Elliott’s cancer diagnosis and starting Hello Brave taught me that three qualities, empathy, collaboration, and adaptability, were the most impactful in shaping both my personal growth and the success of our nonprofit.
Empathy was born out of my experience as Elliott’s mom, navigating the overwhelming and isolating reality of being a full-time caregiver during his treatment. That deep understanding became the cornerstone of Hello Brave’s mission. I knew firsthand how important it was for families to have resources that truly met their emotional and practical needs. That’s why our books don’t just explain medical diagnoses or procedures to kids; they also include supplemental pages for parents, offering questions to ask your care team, tips for talking to your child, and practical advice, such as how to manage chemotherapy side effects in our upcoming book. Empathy guides every decision we make, ensuring our work brings both comfort and empowerment to families facing the toughest moments of their lives.
Collaboration has been equally vital. Hello Brave is the product of an incredible support team, and I couldn’t have done it alone. From my sister Nina’s medical expertise to the artistry of our illustrator Anna and the educational insights of Brooke, each member of our team brings something unique and invaluable to the table. Our shared passion and diverse skills allow us to create something far greater than what any of us could have accomplished individually. The strength of Hello Brave lies in this collective effort, and it’s what keeps us moving forward, even when life feels full with jobs, family commitments, and the everyday demands of life.
Adaptability has also been crucial. During Elliott’s treatment, I learned to pivot quickly, problem-solve, and embrace the unexpected, skills that have been just as important in starting and growing Hello Brave. The nonprofit world is full of unforeseen challenges, from refining our mission to learning how best to reach the families who need our resources most. Staying flexible and open to change has been essential for our progress and has allowed us to evolve alongside the needs of the community we serve.
For those just starting their own journey, my advice is this: start with connection. Listen deeply to the people you want to serve. Empathy is your foundation, and understanding their needs will help you create something truly meaningful. Surround yourself with a team that shares your passion and brings complementary skills, you don’t have to do it alone. And don’t underestimate the power of small steps. Progress doesn’t happen all at once, but even the smallest actions can lead to something extraordinary over time. Finally, stay adaptable and open to learning. The journey will challenge you in ways you never expected, but it will also shape you and your work in ways you never imagined.
Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?
Our biggest challenge right now is funding. Printing books, distributing them to hospitals, and ensuring they reach the families who need them most requires significant resources. During Elliott’s treatment, I saw firsthand how difficult it is to access supportive resources, especially for kids. I don’t want any child to feel as lost or scared as he did.
We are working hard to overcome this challenge by applying for grants, partnering with pediatric cancer organizations, and reaching out to donors who share our passion for empowering kids. We have also started soliciting feedback from families and child life specialists who have used our books. Their input not only helps us improve our resources but also strengthens our case for funding.
Despite the challenges, we are motivated by the incredible response we have received so far. Knowing that our books are making a difference, that they are helping kids feel a little less afraid and a little more brave, keeps us going.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://hello-brave.org
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/hellobraveorg
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/hellobraveco
- Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/company/hello-brave-co
- Twitter: @hello_brave_org
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