When space shuttle Endeavor lifts off Friday on its final mission, the payload will include precious cargo: a space-themed glass bead created by Lara Lutrick, RN, who works at the MultiCare Covington Clinic.

Lutrick’s bead is one of 39 strung together for the mission by Beads of Courage, a nonprofit organization that helps children cope with life-threatening illnesses.

“I am beyond thrilled,” Lutrick said Tuesday afternoon. “It is so exciting, because not a lot of people have this opportunity.”

Lutrick’s space-bound bead depicts a playful chimpanzee peeking out the window of a rocket. She named the bead Enos, after the first chimp launched into orbit. Lutrick said she conceived of the idea for the bead from the space-themed scrubs she wears for work.

Lutrick, who lives in Maple Valley, has worked for 15 years at the MultiCare Covington Clinic.

Photos of all the contest-winning beads and names of the bead artists are available at https://picasaweb.google.com/101652927073622680837/BeadInSpace#.

The collaboration between Beads of Courage and NASA began over a year ago when the daughter of a NASA employee utilized the beads during her treatment for cancer. After seeing the benefits of the program firsthand, he approached NASA about the possibility of including beads on a future shuttle mission to help inspire children battling life-threatening illnesses.

After the trip into space, the string of 39 beads will go into a traveling exhibit to show children at different hospitals.

Endeavor is scheduled to launch from the Kennedy Space Center on April 29 at 3:47 p.m. EST.

The shuttle will be commanded by Mark Kelly, husband of U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords.