SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- John Mayer's Tuesday night show featured a few special shout-outs to the Syracuse crowd.

The most obvious ones were Steve Jordan's Syracuse University T-shirts. The drummer first drew massive cheers from the crowd by appearing in a bright orange "Pearl" shirt, honoring the late basketball legend Pearl Washington.

Later, Jordan changed into another SU shirt, with a simple orange S.

But a smaller, subtle nod to the local crowd could be seen hanging on the bottom, left-hand side of Mayer's white shirt.

Mayer and his band wore "Beads of Courage" to honor local pediatric patients. The beads are symbolic tokens associated with the local organization Maureen's Hope.

Maureen's Hope started the "Beads of Courage" program at the Upstate Golisano Children's Hospital. The program gives children a length of string and beads to spell out their first name.

After each treatment or milestone, the children receive a different bead to add to their collection. The string of beads becomes a way for children who are battling cancer to tell their story.

Each bead worn by the band will go to a child with a handwritten note, explaining what the musicians did while they wore it.

Local musician Kim Monroe of Castle Creek poses with John Mayer Band drummer Steve Jordan on Tuesday, Aug. 22 at the Lakeview Amphitheater. Jordan wore Beads of Courage around his neck to honor Syracuse pediatric patients. (Phil Leone)

Syracuse-based mixing engineer Mike Roberts connected with Mayer's guitarist David Ryan Harris to make it all happen.

Roberts previously worked with Harris on a record for Betty Who years ago.

"Seeing John and the entire band walk out on stage with a bead pinned to each of them was pretty incredible," said Roberts, a Baldwinsville native. "There's something about getting the full support of an entire band, loud and proud."

As an engineer, Roberts had worked with a wide variety of nationally-known artists, like Selena Gomez, Umphrey's McGee, Demi Lovato, Charlie Puth, Phoenix and the Goo Goo Dolls.

"It's a different kind of teamwork," Roberts added. "Making music that later goes on the radio or to strangers around the world is one thing, but supporting a cause together to benefit local kids... that's what really warms my heart."

Harris wore his bead on his lapel onstage, while drummer Jordan wore one around his neck. Mayer's bead made it into plenty of press photos and videos, since he positioned it right next to his guitar hand.

"The effort is minimal for us," Roberts said. "The impact on the kids is incredible."

John Mayer's guitarist David Ryan Harris holds a "Beads of Hope" bag next to Susan Bertrand, founder of Maureen's Hope Foundation. (Provided photo)

Susan Bertrand started Maureen's Hope to help families who were faced with cancer or other life-threatening diseases.

She named the organization in honor of her sister, Maureen Humphrey, who battled an aggressive and rare form of cervical cancer for 19 months. She died in January of 2003 at age 31.

Bertrand met with Harris around 2 p.m. on Tuesday in the lobby of the Sheraton Syracuse University Hotel to pass along the beads.

"I think of how many requests they probably get," said Bertrand. "I didn't actually believe the beads would be on them until we saw them onstage. We were thrilled."

Bertrand launched Maureen's Hope out of her home in 2004. Her goal was to provide emotional and financial support to community members and their families who were faced with a life-changing medical diagnosis.

"Kids in these hospitals sometimes feel like the world is going on outside and no one is thinking about them," Bertrand said. "To know John Mayer Band thought about them before going onstage...I think that's very powerful. I'm sure it helps them feel connected."