The promise is paramount: “If you fold a thousand paper cranes, you will be granted one wish.”

When Sadako Sasaki was diagnosed with leukemia from radiation caused by the bomb dropped on Hiroshima, she took the old Japanese legend to heart. She folded her cranes diligently, her one wish — to get well — just out of reach.

Sadako made 644 cranes before she became too weak to fold any more; she passed away in her sleep in October 1955. After her passing, her story inspired a nation as classmates and friends raised money for a memorial and a statue of the child has stood in Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park since 1958.

Fast forward to an October nearly 70 years later; the youth group “Wacky Wednesday” of Trinity United Methodist Church decided to help Sadako finish folding her cranes. 

They didn’t stop at 356 — they completed the full 1,000 and presented them to the Jefferson Healthcare oncology department on Wednesday, June 14, bestowing their one healing wish on all the patients there. 

But the cranes weren’t just for the patients. Healthcare workers were overwhelmed with gratitude at the kind gesture. 

“You’re making a real difference for the people who need it the most,” Tina Toner, chief of nursing, told the children after the presentation, tears in her eyes. “Thank you for doing this.”

“Imagine how everyone is going to feel — patients, visitors, staff—when they see this beautiful piece of art hanging in the department,” said Anita-Louise Marley, who assisted the Wacky Wednesday kids throughout the months-long folding process. “I know how it made me feel; it took my breath away.”

Miriam Brown, 11, worked hard on the project. 

“Sometimes, it was frustrating because it felt like it would never end,” she explained. “But it was worth it.”

Tesla Byers, 12, agreed. Byers alone folded 300 cranes. 

“I really enjoyed it,” she said.

Wacky Wednesday formed eight months ago. 

“It was made to be a safe place of encouragement for these kids, both for each other and from each other,” explained Pastor Tony Brown, who currently leads the group. They meet every Wednesday to play games, hang out, and work on projects to help the community. 

“The cranes are our first completed project,” Brown said. 

Wacky Wednesday will take the summer off, then resume in the fall for a new artsy undertaking. 

“We might make more cranes,” said Brown, reveling in the heartfelt success of their first venture. “But we’re open to suggestions.”