Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes

On April 4, 2022, two University of Arizona student groups gathered to learn the story of Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes, with a goal making 1000 origami cranes to send a positive and uplifting message of support for healthcare workers at Tucson Medical Center.

The University’s office of Asian Pacific American Student Affairs (APASA) helped promote the event that was sponsored by the student-run Asian American Cultural Association (AACA) and the Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association (APAMSA). Students Lydia Nguyen, representing AACA, and Yijen Yang, representing APAMSA, jointly planned and presented the event that was part of APIDA Heritage Month, celebrated in April on the University of Arizona campus. 

“Supporting healthcare workers is very important to me because I’m very interested in healthcare,” said Kenneth Ly, co-president of AACA. “The pandemic has exacerbated a huge problem in healthcare, which is burnout and mental health,” added Ly, who is pursuing an MS in Molecular and Cellular Biology. “Physicians have one of the highest suicide rates of any occupation, and many are quitting medicine nowadays when we need them more than ever. I want to tell healthcare workers to hang in there, don’t give up, and that you need to take care of yourself too!”

Around 40 students came to the event, that began with a retelling of the legend of the thousand cranes and the story of Sadako.

The story of Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes is told in the novel written by Eleanor Coerr, and is based on the true story of a girl named Sadako Sasaki. At the age of eleven, Sadako is diagnosed with leukemia that was the result of radiation from the atomic bomb that had been dropped on the city of Hiroshima, Japan in an attempt to end World War II. As the story goes, Sadako’s friend tells her that the crane, a sacred bird in Japan, lives for a hundred years, and if a sick person folds 1,000 paper cranes, then that person would soon get well. After hearing the legend, Sadako decided to fold 1,000 cranes in the hope that she would get better.

In the novel, Sadako does not reach her goal, but the real-life Sadako is said to have folded over 1400 paper cranes before she died. Shortly thereafter, her friends and schoolmates helped create a memorial to her and all the children who had died from the effects of the atomic bomb. A statue of Sadako holding a paper crane was installed in the Hiroshima Peace Park, with a plaque that reads: "This is our cry. This is our prayer. Peace on Earth." This wish for peace is remembered each year on August 6 (Hiroshima Day), and Sadako’s legacy of patience and courage continues to inspire new generations through the Peace Crane Project.

The tradition of making 1000 origami cranes for someone who is seriously ill is still followed today and has become a symbol of hope and healing during challenging times. And that is why the AACA and APAMSA student groups chose the project during APIDA month to send positive messages of hope and healing to people who need it.

“We want to send a positive message of support to healthcare workers in our community,” said Lydia Nguyen, a pre-med student in the College of Medicine and one of the AACA event organizers. “We hope that these colorful paper cranes will bring some happiness and positive endorphins to the people who have been working so diligently to heal others through this pandemic. That’s why we chose to support the Banner Health Hospital Healing the Healer Initiative.”

For Lady Elli, an executive board member for Pre-Health APAMSA and one of the participating students the activity brought back memories of studying in The Philippines. "The act of making origami paper cranes together," said Elli, "is about being able to use culture to build community and support for each other, especially during difficult times.”

Following the presentation, and after a few minutes of origami instruction and practice, colorful paper was handed out and the work of folding began. And with the folding came time to enjoy a buffet-style dinner provided by New Asia Chinese Restaurant and engage in conversation with fellow participants.

Some of the students reflected on how participating in this activity connects them to their identity, to memories of people or places, and to shared cultural experiences.

“I felt like throughout high school I was never really proud to be who I am,” said Ly, “but when I got to college, I found a community of people who could relate to my experiences. I chose to become a co-president of AACA because it has helped me to reconnect with and be proud of my culture. The Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes philanthropy was one of our bigger events this semester, and I want to thank our awesome treasurer, Lydia Nguyen, for coming up with the amazing idea and coordinating with APAMSA and APASA to make it successful.”

Another participant, Min, said that paper cranes remind them of a friend. "Every time I saw my friend, they were always folding more paper cranes,” said Min. “They would fold paper cranes with any material they had on them, from origami paper to napkins to receipts. They could fold paper cranes of many different sizes, some large, and some smaller than a penny. Often, they would give away the paper cranes they made as gifts. I still have the paper cranes they gave me. Every time I see paper cranes, I think of my friend."

Others talked about the importance of activities such as these that APASA sponsors, for the friendships that they develop and the many opportunities there are to become involved. “APASA offers opportunities and resources to be involved in APIDA clubs and organizations," said Elli, "as well as create projects that benefit the community, such as the Black and Asian Allyship conversation with FASA (Filipino American Student Affairs), #StopAsianHate Talk with FASA, and the APIDA Heritage Week with the Pan Asian Council." 

“One of my earliest memories with my father is folding origami together in church,” recalled participant Chrissa Wilcox. “He would keep me entertained by showing me how to fold cranes, frogs, or samurai hats. The last time I helped make 1000 paper cranes was in elementary school after the tsunami hit Japan in March 2011. My father was stationed in Japan, and I remember that everyone was called upon to volunteer and assist. As children there was a limit to what we could really do to help, so to show our support our school made 1000 cranes to send to the volunteers and workers. I remember folding cranes with my class, one by one placing our finished cranes in a box while our teacher strung them together. Though it didn't directly help the volunteers and healthcare workers, it was our way of sending our support and goodwill.”

“I joined the Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes philanthropy because APAMSA activities are always educational but also fun and relaxing,” said participant Nikki Asuncion. “Being a member of APAMSA is very important to me. As an out-of-state student I felt immediately welcomed. I consider my APAMSA friends as family, and it's invigorating to be with students who have the same aspirations as I do.”

At the end of the two hours, the group had made 450 paper cranes. The remaining papers were distributed amongst attendees who wished to continue folding independently. The group reached their goal of 1000 origami paper cranes that are being strung together and will be displayed at their final destination, bringing the message of peace, hope, courage and compassion that both the Japanese legend and the story of Sadako inspire.