Cranes for Cancer

THANK YOU JAN!

2012-02-03T12:35:00.001-05:00

I am just so overwhelmed with all the wonderful crane donations!

This week's donation comes from Jan R. Jan did a theme of Cranes for Christmas, and made these amazingly gorgeous cranes! They come in all different colored papers, including bright designs and iridescents. Those are my favorite. A translucent string holds each crane, and it's held in place on the bottom by beautiful crystal beads.

Jan, these cranes are some of the most beautifully done that I've ever seen! Do you have any pictures of what it looked like in your Christmas home? They will surely go to someone special in need of some hope and healing during a difficult time.

Jan and I both agree that crane making is very therapeutic for the person making the cranes as well. Crane making keeps us sane.

Warm wishes Jan!
Julie

Cranes from the Hinkle Family

2011-12-14T20:50:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I received this beautiful box of Cranes from the Hinkle family in California. They are particularly interesting because they have fishing string attached - perfect for a cancer patient who may want to hang the cranes in his/her room or on his/her Christmas tree.

There was also an interesting book in Braille at the bottom. I hope I can find someone to read it. It will take some detective work, but I'll try to find a blind cancer patient to interpret for me.

Thank you Hinkles!!!

P.S. My cat Rhino loves the cranes. What cat doesn't love birds? He wanted to pose in this picture.

Cranes come all the way from Illinois!!

2011-12-14T20:09:00.000-05:00

Last Saturday, the Galesburg Pubulic Library's Teen Advisory Board, headed by Melinda Jones-Rhoades, held their winter Care-a-Thon. Volunteers made cranes!

Here's an article about the event:

http://www.galesburg.com/newsnow/x890738056/Teens-make-a-difference-at-Holiday-Care-a-Thon

We are SO HONORED to be a reciepient of these origami cranes! I know they will go to someone who needs a lot of care and hope.

Thank you thank you thank you!

Great Article about Health Benefits of Exercise

2011-11-25T15:51:00.001-05:00

Hi everyone,

Here's a great article about the health benefits of exercise.

Fitness and its Benefits While Fighting Cancer

Exercise has a number of potential health benefits, especially related to cancer. Regular physical activity can help to reduce the risk of numerous diseases. Exercise can also improve mood, help with insomnia and increase energy level.   Aside from helping you control weight, exercise can help to reduce blood pressure and lower cholesterol. With these benefits, exercise can help to prevent heart disease. Regular physical activity can also reduce your risk of a stroke, type-2 diabetes, metabolic syndromes, and arthritis and strengthen bones.   

Exercise can help to improve your mood, which is a critical component of cancer. Physical fitness releases certain neurotransmitters, which can affect your mental state. Cancer can cause depression or stress which exercise can help to relieve. Exercise can also boost energy levels, which is important with a diagnosis of cancer. Regular physical fitness can help you sleep better, if you suffer from insomnia. Some side effects of cancer treatment can cause insomnia and fatigue which fitness can help to improve.   

Physical fitness can help to ward off different types of cancer. Studies suggest that regular physical exercise can reduce your risk of breast and colon cancer, among other cancers. A recent of panel of researchers suggested that regular activity is also important for people with any type of cancer, including rare and fatal cancers such as mesothelioma.

  The National Cancer Institute published the report in June of 2010 by the panel of 13 experts on health. The benefits of exercise on cancer are well documented, according to the report. Exercise can help prevent fatigue and increase physical functioning. However, exercise can have even more effects on certain cancers and can increase survival rates.

  In the past, doctors normally recommended that patients with cancer rest and take it easy. However, after the new research, physicians are now informing patients to avoid inactivity. Depending on the type of your cancer or the stage of your treatment, you should include some sort of fitness in your daily routine. Even if you are only able to take short walks daily, any type of activity is beneficial. Aerobic exercises, such as walking, cycling or swimming is usually recommended. However, strength training may also be helpful to keep your muscles toned during cancer treatment.   

Consult your physician before you start to exercise to make sure it is not counter indicated with your condition.  

by David Haas

Dayna's Cranes

2011-10-21T22:54:00.002-04:00

Here's a picture of Dayna's cranes. She put them in this beautiful tall vase, which makes it look like the cranes are populating the branches of a tree. Dayna, we hope these cranes bring you health and healing and positive energy.

With Love,
All of Us!

THANK YOU Matherlys!

2011-10-17T15:45:00.002-04:00

Hi everyone,

The Matherly family sent Cranes for Cancer this HUGE box of Origami cranes from their wedding. The tradition of folding 1,000 paper cranes began as a Japanese wedding tradition.

My husband and I also folded and strung 1,000 cranes for our wedding, with the help of our family and friends.

The Matherlys write:

We just got married in August and with the help of many friends and family members folded over 1,000 cranes... it would be especially poignant and meaningful to donate to your organization as we've both lost more than our fair share of family and friends to cancer.

The cranes are going to a dear friend of mine, Dayna. Dayna was my favorite babysitter. She is such a sweet, warm, caring person. She just finished her Chemo and is staying strong. We love you Dayna!

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!

Thank you Mika!

2011-10-05T22:29:00.002-04:00

A HUGE thank you goes out to Mika from Texas. Mika sent a giant box of cranes to us today. Thank you Mika! I think they were part of your girl scout project, yes? Please tell us the story!

Mika writes: "Thank you for letting me help you on your project! It was a lot of fun! I hope the person that receives the cranes enjoys them and gets their wish."

Healing Delivered...

2011-10-04T17:30:00.001-04:00

Mr. MacDougall received his cranes yesterday! Thank you again Sigi and Troop 414!

Mr. MacDougall's Cranes

2011-09-28T17:07:00.002-04:00

Thank you Sigi and Troop 414. Just gorgeous!

I'm just beside myself tickled by this story: Sigi and her Girl Scout troop 414 made these 1000 beautiful cranes and strung them up on this mobile. They are going to Tim MacDougall, a former teacher of mine who was diagnosed with cancer about a month ago. He is in good spirits while he begins his chemo treatment.

Thank You Joan!

2011-08-30T13:13:00.000-04:00

Joan and her class sent beautiful cranes all the way from Pennsylvania for the cause. They even had wires attached for hanging! Thank you Joan and class! We need all the cranes we can get right now.

Don't forget: If you want to send cranes:

Brain-Go
1490 Second Avenue, 1A
New York, NY 10075

THANK YOU SWIFTS!

2011-07-19T13:00:00.002-04:00

So yesterday this mysterious big box showed up. My assistant made fun of me - that I order too many things online. But this box was too light to be a pair of shoes or new books. I opened it up, and there were these gorgeously made cranes!

They are a donation from the Swifts from Michigan. They made them for their wedding and donated them to us for Cranes for Cancer!

Thank you Swifts! We are in need of cranes for so many people and they really help out. Your cranes are going to our dear friend Alexis.

We're Still here!

2011-07-10T14:00:00.001-04:00

Hi,

So even though I've been super busy lately, I'm still making cranes, and would love some help! If you have cranes, ship them to:

Brain-Go
1490 Second Avenue, 1A
New York, NY 10075

We are making cranes for two people right now.

Susan's Cranes

2009-01-30T00:14:00.002-05:00

Jill did a super job of making a ton of cranes for her friend Susan. Jill, would you like to add some more details? Anyway, I sent about 400 from me and my sister. I hope they were of help. Susan, we are sending you warm thoughts.

Mr. Gordon's Cranes

2009-01-01T21:27:00.005-05:00

Mr. Gordon's cranes are finished! Thanks to David's mom Jill for making so many, as well as his Uncle Larry, Aunt Carol, and sister Dena. Thanks to Emiko who is always sending baggies of cranes. Thanks to David for counting and buying a bigger vase when the one I bought was too small.

Mr. Gordon loved his cranes, and we wish him well.

The Crane Army

2008-11-30T16:15:00.003-05:00

Our next batch of cranes is for Mr. Gordon. While in FL for Thanksgiving, I taught three more people how to make these cranes! I hope they will join in the efforts to bring hope to people with cancer. Here are some of the "works in progress."

Sad News

2008-10-27T11:54:00.002-04:00

One of our cranes for cancer recipients, Vickie, passed away recently. She had a long battle with lung cancer. To all friends and family, we send our sympathy. We hope that during Vickie's long struggle, the cranes brought her some joy and happiness and hope.

Deanine's Cranes, Part 2

2008-09-18T20:09:00.006-04:00

Deanine's Cranes were shipped today and will be delivered tomorrow. Aunt Carol did an amazing job of folding cranes and organizing the effort, assisted by Cousin Scott. They came out so beautiful! Check out the pics! I love the basket and the interesting colors and textures of the paper.

The cranes will arrive just as Deanine is starting her treatment. Deanine, we hope these cranes bring you good luck and health and happiness. Every time you look at them, remember that we are all thinking about you and wishing you well.

Anyone reading this: If you'd like to post your thoughts, you can do so below!

Deanine's Cranes

2008-09-04T14:06:00.003-04:00

Aunt Carol has been working very hard! She likes the big paper so she bought a whole bunch from Michael's and Kim's Cranes. Here are some - "in process" pics. Go Aunt Carol!

I feel so warm and fuzzy that so many people are supporting this project. I bet we can get more people off the list. Deanine's cranes will be the fastest batch EVER.

Thank you KAREN!!

2008-09-04T11:39:00.001-04:00

Shout out to Karen! Who sent me a huge box of cranes she made. She also is working on an article for a magazine. Karen, you rock.

Lisa's Japan Trip

2008-09-04T11:34:00.002-04:00

Hey everyone! Lisa (my sister) visited the peace crane monument in Japan - dedicated to Sadako, a little girl who developed leukemia from atomic radiation. It was Sadako who started the tradition of making cranes to bring hope to people with cancer. Here is a picture of some of her original cranes. Lisa couldn't take pictures in the museum, but it is from a postcard. So cool Lis!

Also, Lisa bought a paper cutter. So another way you can help is by donating old scraps of paper - any kind - wrapping paper, scrapbook paper, etc etc. and we will cut it into squares. This will make our cranes more interesting!!!

Thank you Lisa for my gifts: Some origami paper from Japan in a beautiful box, chopsticks with pictures of cranes on them, and ceramic origami crane chopstick holder. I love you.

Aunt Carol's Brigade!

2008-08-30T23:13:00.001-04:00

Tonight I taught Aunt Carol how to make cranes. She's doing great! She's mobilizing everyone she knows and they are going to make cranes too. Thank you Aunt Carol!!!

An example for all of us

2008-08-24T23:56:00.004-04:00

Liz got her cranes last week. She loves them too. I met her for the first time last week. She is such a lovely young woman. She looks fantastic and is in good spirits. Only one more month of chemo to go! Liz is an example of how cancer can strike anyone at any time. She is my age and very healthy, and a doctor to boot. Luckily they caught it early. We are wishing you the best Liz!

Oh, and thank you for the quote of the day - I LOVE it:

"I wake up every morning and look at myself in the mirror and say 'Everybody wishes they could look like me'"

You're HOT girl. David .... watch out!

Origami Bijou

2008-08-15T09:10:00.002-04:00

This company makes origami jewelry, fashioned out of thin sheets of metal (silver or gold). They have a beautiful crane necklace - they make a large and a small size. I bought the small size for my sister for our birthday. She loves it!!! It makes a great gift and the customer service is very helpful. So if you know of someone who would appreciate one, I recommend!

http://www.origamibijou.com/necklaces/goodluck-critters.html

Thank You David

2008-07-16T13:06:00.003-04:00

This week, David helped out by counting the cranes for Liz. Not only that, he also sorted them by color and told me what percentage were "defective." Go David!

First Donation!

2008-07-14T14:40:00.003-04:00

Thank you Aunt Miriam and Uncle Burt for being the first to donate to CFC! All proceeds go to supplies and shipping costs. You particular donation will go to providing the cranes for Liz, a 26 year old with an aggressive breast cancer. She is a friend of David's. Many many many thanks.

Cranes for my Mom

2008-07-06T20:29:00.003-04:00

My mom sent over these pictures today of the 1000 origami cranes I made for her a couple of years ago. Thanks mom!

Thank You LISA!

2008-07-05T18:25:00.001-04:00

A huge thanks goes out to my sister Lisa, who just bought a whole bunch of Origami Paper. If you are interested in making cranes for Cranes for Cancer, please contact me at cranesforcancer@yahoo.com and we can arrange to get you some free paper.
You rock Lis.

Kim's Crane

2008-07-04T16:40:00.002-04:00

A number of people have asked where to buy origami paper. I have had great luck at Kim's Crane. They were closed for awhile but have re-opened. There is a link to the website on the bottom left of this page. If you type 1000 into the search field on their website, you will see they have a number of products where you can buy a box of 1000 sheets of paper in a variety of colors for about $9. These sheets may be small for beginners, but they are certainly a good price. They also have some interesting designer paper that is a bit more expensive. Personally, I like to work with the 70 mm (7 cm x 7 cm) which is about 2.75 inches size paper. You probably don't want to do any larger than 4/5 inches. Please feel free to post comments and questions!

1000 Cranes Delivered Today

2008-07-03T11:33:00.000-04:00

Today I delivered 1000 cranes to a client of mine who has colon cancer. She was very happy and appreciative. I put them in a wicker basket (from K-mart) and they looked great! I am sending her my prayers and thoughts and hopes for a full recovery.

Love to you,
Julie