The crisis in Japan has generated an outpouring of sympathy and support from the world in a beautiful artistic effort called 1000 Paper Cranes for Japan on Facebook and an even larger goal of 100,000 Paper Cranes + $200k for Japan started by studentsrebuild.org.An ancient Japanese legend promises that anyone who folds a thousand origami cranes will be granted a wish by a crane, such as long life or recovery from illness or injury. The crane in Japan is one of the mystical or holy creatures (others include the dragon and the tortoise), and is said to live for a thousand years. In Japan, it is commonly said that folding 1000 paper origami cranes makes a person's wish come true. This makes them popular gifts for special friends and family.

Menlo Park resident, Ozge Goker, has been folding origami paper cranes as of three years ago when one of her dear friend's daughter, Lara, then 6-years old, was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia. She decided to fold 1000 cranes for her and asked her friends to help.  They all agreed and the group of moms would get together at her house and fold cranes. It took them about 4 months to reach 1000. Ozge delivered them to her friend at the hospital.

Since then Lara recovered and is in remission. Ozge often visited the family while their stay at UCSF. Lara was on a special ward with other children who had similar conditions.  Ozge says, “It really effects the way you look at life after talking to parents on those corridors.”  Ozge says she will continue to fold cranes and believes that people who need them will find her.

She says, “I greatly appreciate the generosity of all the moms who dedicated their valuable time to help fold cranes. I think they are the biggest inspiration...

To date the group has folded about 1500 cranes for Japan and expect a couple hundred more Friday morning. They will be shipped out this weekend along with the 1000 cranes that they had folded for Lara. The family is donating those as well to the victims of Japan.

Exact numbers are not yet in, but Ozge’s origami folding team has grown to incorporate members of the Empower Through Education group, and the Girl Scouts of Palo Alto.  They estimate they will raise over $1500 by sending them to the studentsrebuild.com group who set the goal of 100,000 cranes + $200,000 for Japan. 

If you would like to take part in this effort, attached are directions on how to fold an origami crane. 

All cranes received after the Friday, April 15 deadline will be woven into an art installation.

Please send them to http://studentsrebuild.org/japan/ or completed cranes can be brought to Peninsula Arts Council at Twin Pines Art Center, 10 Twin Pines Lane and PAC by April 29 and we will add them to Ozge’s local goal. 

Dedicated mom’s get together over lunch to fold cranes for Japan.  Show in this photo are Left to Right, Gianna Wrenn, friend, friend, friend, Ozge Goker, Cathy Tokic, Ceyda Can Aricanli, Anda,  Anna.

Delighted Ceyda Can Aricanli  holding a completed origami crane.