The paper cranes were inspired by the true story of Sadako Sasaki, as told in the book, Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes, by Eleanor Coerr. This is a true story of Sadako Sasaki, a young Japanese girl who developed leukemia from radiation caused by the bombing of Hiroshima, Japan during World War II. While hospitalized, her closest friend reminded her of an ancient Japanese legend. If she folded 1,000 paper cranes, the Gods might grant her wish to be well again. The story of her struggle for life and her belief in peace has inspired hundreds of thousands of children from all over world since 1955 to participate in the creation of World Peace by folding paper cranes.
Shortly after reading the book, our classroom learned of one of our own who was diagnosed with cancer. Roberto Arreguin, a fourth grader, was diagoned with Hodgkin’s Lymophoma. Hodgkin’s Lymophoma is a type of cancer originating from white blood cells.
Roberto is currently receiving chemotherapy treatments to fight the cancer.
The fourth graders decided to make the paper cranes in honor of Roberto. The cranes symbolize hope and peace. We think of Roberto often when we see the cranes, and hope for a speedy recovery.
