Son Folds Cranes For Mother Undergoing Cancer Treatment
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Folding origami isn't a hobby you'd think of for young boys, but two Baltimore 12-year-olds have just finished folding 1,000 origami cranes.
Andrea Fujii reports they're doing it to help save a mother's life.
After nearly two dozen folds, Chad Fisher completed his 999th origami crane.
"I came home one day and wanted to do it and I knew I couldn't do it alone so I brought him along," said Fisher.
He and his cousin Max have been folding the cranes since the summer, after they learned about it in the Japanese book "Sadako."
"In Japan a legend says if you fold a thousand paper cranes you'll get to grant a wish. The gods will grant you a wish and you can become healthy again," said Max Schnitzer.
Health is what Chad Fisher wants for his mom who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009. So they've been folding the cranes at St. Joseph Medical Center. They are hoping the legend comes true.
"Coming for treatments here is monotonous, so it was kind of neat knowing my kids would be here," said Ray Ellen Fisher, breast cancer survivor.
Meanwhile, other cancer patients have added their messages of courage.
"It's giving everyone hope. Like if they know about the story then they're thinking the same thing could happen and could be cancer free," said Schnitzer.
It's a small dream that's taken flight.
"It's just two kids folding cranes and it's all over the place now," said Fisher.
Various cancer groups and schools are now contacting the boys to teach them how to fold the cranes and to share the lessons they've learned.
The cranes are on display in the lobby of St. Joseph's Cancer Institute.
