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SALT LAKE CITY — Primary Children’s Hospital is extending their efforts toward cancer patients beyond medical care.
Last month, the hospital launched a website in honor of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month that allows community members to digitally fold paper cranes and send them to a cancer patient.
Japanese folklore has it that a paper crane represents good health, longevity, truth and fidelity, according to 1,000 Paper Cranes. The Japanese legend says that a person with the patience to fold 1,000 paper cranes will be granted their most desired wish.
Since there are 200 newly diagnosed cancer patients at Primary Children’s, the hospital hopes to receive 200,000 digital paper cranes.
Ben Cook, the marketing manager for Primary Children’s hospital, said the paper crane tradition is popular among cancer patients and their loved ones.
“Here at Primary Children’s we provide care for the whole family,” Cook said. “With cancer, it’s a long road. Knowing there are people thinking about you and concerned about you really goes a long way and does the most for our patients.”
We've got great doctors and we're one of the top cancer research hospitals in the country, but having the support of family and the community is great.
–Ben Cook
The website offers a variety of colors, patterns and accessories so community members to create an individual paper crane.
“We tried to make the website a little more child-friendly,” Cook said. “There’s cowboy hats and crowns and ties you can put on the cranes to make them a little more childhood focused.”
Cook said they’ve received cranes from various states across the country, even though it’s Utah-focused. Many people have left a message of encouragement with their crane.
Cook said they haven’t decided where to put the cranes, but they plan on collecting them and making sure the patients see the messages of good health.
“We’ve got great doctors and we’re one of the top cancer research hospitals in the country, but having the support of family and the community is great,” Cook said.
