ABU DHABI: A “Cranes for Charity” campaign was hosted at the UAE’s Kinokuniya bookstore. Inspired by “Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes” novel, Tuttle Publishing & Books, Kinokuniya launched a campaign to help children with cancer in Lebanon by folding as many cranes as possible.
For every 1,000, the bookstore will donate 500 AED (up to 2,000 AED) to the Children’s Cancer Center of Lebanon (CCCL).
A representative of Tuttle Publishing told Arab News Japan about the campaign: “Did you know in Lebanon they don’t have money for cancer treatment for kids? Why don’t we work on something together to help? Tuttle is perhaps one of the largest publishers of origami books, papers, and packs in the English-speaking world, they are also the publishers of Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes – one of my favorite childhood books focusing on the fallout from the Hiroshima atomic bombings, and subsequent cancer issues after.”
“Sadako survives the Hiroshima bombings but 10 years later becomes extremely sick from cancer. Her friends remind her of the Japanese thousand paper cranes myth – if you fold all thousand then your wish will come true. She folds all thousand paper cranes and wishes to get better – but sadly passes away.”
“Inspired by her true story, Kinokuniya and Tuttle Publishing wanted to do our little part and ask our customers to fold thousands of paper cranes for the Children’s Cancer Center in Lebanon. For every thousand cranes we are donating 500 AED.”
“I think it is important to be reminded of all the innocent people who were kill or affected in those atomic bombings – especially in the tense world right now. Sadako’s story is more important than ever, and we want to bring it to the attention of a new generation – while helping people in need,” he added.
A representative of Kinokuniya bookstore said: “We are so inspired by the many people who have been learning to fold paper cranes in both our Dubai and Abu Dhabi branches. It’s standing room only, as people help each other – and occasionally a staff member steps in for more advanced training. We can’t announce how many cranes have been folded so far… but it’s a lot. Better still, sales of Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes has grown by 1000 percent – meaning that people in the UAE are learning her story, and the tragedy of Hiroshima.”
The “Cranes for Charity” campaign was at Kinokuniya bookstores in both Dubai and Abu Dhabi branches till July 31.