Origami Hope for Childhood Cancer Patients
David Heard, a 10-year-old neuroblastoma fighter from Easton, Pa., is taking awareness into his own hands. He created a video message to urge people to help him make 220,000 paper cranes as a symbol of hope for pediatric cancer patients like himself. So far, he has managed to collect over 11,000 origami cranes.
David Heard, 10, presenting his collection of over 11, 000 paper cranes. Photo by: Kevin Mingora
David originally wanted to make 5,000 cranes to send to five pediatric hospitals and had already gathered 2,000 cranes, but he was finding it hard to fold the remaining 3,000 himself. In less than a week after he announced his goal, people from around the country sent in another 2,000 cranes. Now, he wants to send 1,000 cranes to 220 pediatric oncology clinics across the country. He calls it the National Crane Project.
David was inspired after seeing a campus stage production of A Thousand Cranes at Lafayette College, a play based on the Japanese tradition that someone who is sick will get well if they fold a 1,000 origami cranes. The play features the true-life story of a 12-year-old Japanese girl, Sadako Sasaki, who developed leukemia after the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. Sadako folds the cranes in hopes to have her wish granted, but she dies before completing the 1,000.
Though David’s own health is failing, his wish is that each of these kids will be cured from cancer. He wants to send these cranes around the world and hopes that kids will continue this project after he is gone.
Students in college, high school, middle school, and juvenile probation are participating in this lofty mission. If you want to help David, send folded cranes to 130 W. Lafayette Street, Easton, Pa. 18042. The National Crane Project asks the cranes be folded using 3-inch- to 8-inch origami paper.
Two years ago, David was diagnosed with stage IV neuroblastoma. He relapsed in July after six months in remission.