When Nghiep Luu’s son was born prematurely, Luu was moved to turn his passion for origami into a way to help children. And that is why he began a five-month journey last May to fold 10,000 cranes to raise $10,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Luu said that his now 19-month-old son inspired him to complete the project last September.
Known as the master of origami in Danbury, Connecticut, Luu undertook the task of folding the cranes after reflecting on the phrase, “Nothing changes if nothing changes.” He said he was inspired by the famous story of Sadako Sasaki, a young Japanese girl who made it her goal to fold 1,000 origami cranes while undergoing treatment for leukemia. There is a Japanese legend which states that anyone who folds a thousand paper cranes will be granted a wish by the gods, and Sadako’s wish was to return to full health.
Luu’s piece, titled “My Wish To You,” became his way to continue Sadako’s legacy as he folded and then displayed the 10,000 cranes on one large wooden crane. “If a wish is truly granted to anyone who folds a thousand cranes, my wish would simply be the wellbeing of the children,” he said on his fundraising page.
Whenever he thought about giving up on the project, Luu said he would look at his now 19-month-old son, whose smiles helped push him to complete the project last September.
“This might seem to be a difficult challenge to some people, but it is nothing compared to the challenges these children are facing daily,” said Luu.
The first installation of the piece took place at the Western Connecticut State University Visual & Performing Arts Center. Luu has currently raised $1,610, and he hopes to show the piece in more exhibits to continue to build awareness and raise funds for St. Jude.
Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food — because all a family should worry about is helping their child live.
You, too, can make a difference for St. Jude kids.
Read more inspiring stories
-
Plan in Progress: St. Jude celebrates first year of telehealth services in Tupelo
St. Jude is celebrating a successful first year of providing telehealth services for children with chronic hematological diseases in North Mississippi. Read the story.
-
Doggone cute: St. Jude is paw-leased to welcome employees Snuggle and CC
Read about Snuggle and CC, the two newest facility dogs who are enhancing the patient experience at St. Jude.
-
Being A Father is Everything for St. Jude Patient Dad Chris
When Chris' son Calvin got a devastating diagnosis, it was the lifesaving mission of St. Jude that helped ensure his family remained intact.
-
A St. Jude volunteer “meet cute” leads to engagement
Jordan Watson and Kelly Quiroz met at St. Jude while volunteering and recently got engaged to marry.
-
Father’s Day: St. Jude employees share stories of inspiration
To commemorate Father's Day, read four stories of four St. Jude employees who have the unique experience of calling their fathers colleagues.
-
St. Jude kindergarten graduation celebrates aspiring teachers, ballerinas…ninjas
Students in the St. Jude School Program hit a milestone by celebrating their Kindergarten graduation.
-
‘A success on all fronts’
Read how St. Jude volunteers opened the door to health care career possibilities for local eighth graders during an expo at Agricenter International.
-
St. Jude School Program celebrates annual high school commencement
See how St. Jude is honoring 15 students as part of its annual high school commencement. The students completed high school this year while undergoing treatment and managing the ongoing pandemic. Each graduate received a unique St. Jude class ring, hats tassels and other gifts.
-
St. Jude celebrates Mother’s Day with inspirational stories
St. Jude employees take pride in their work and many times, they inspire family members to join the mission. This Mother’s Day, we highlight a few family members who have followed in their mothers’ footsteps.
-
Mentorship is a Two-Way Street
In observance of Women's History Month, Andrea Stubbs discusses the importance of mentorship and support throughout her career.
-
Austin Springer, PhD, receives highest employee honor for pandemic response efforts
For pandemic response efforts in 2021, Human Resources employee receives highest honor bestowed upon St. Jude employees.
-
Why did I get the COVID-19 vaccine? Two St. Jude families share their stories
Two St. Jude families share their reasons for getting the COVID-19 vaccine.
-
Puggle, Huckleberry to depart soon; doggy duo has changed the patient experience
The facility dogs who laid the groundwork for the hospital’s facility dog program are departing soon. Read how they changed the patient experience.
-
Face masks are business as usual at St. Jude
Learn how staff members, patients and families have been wearing masks correctly for decades to protect children and prevent infection.
-
Meet Rosalie: Facility dog to provide employee support
Learn how Rosalie, a golden retriever facility dog, will help support employee resilience. St. Jude has two other facility dogs who support patient care.