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Community Corner

Broadneck Students Make Cranes for Cancer

Club of dedicated volunteers committed to supporting young cancer patients.

While many of us know the sadness cancer can inflict on those around us, sometimes it’s not until it hits home that one feels compelled to take action. When several students in Broadneck were diagnosed with cancer, Broadneck junior Ashley Zachery decided to take action.

“My friend Ashton had leukemia, and all he would talk about was how dreary the hospital was,” said Zachery. “A friend of mine thought it would be a fun thing to construct 1,000 cranes for Hanukkah one year, and I thought maybe this would help brighten up the hospital for kids with cancer as well.”

And the Cranes for Cancer club at Broadneck was born. More than 20 members strong, Cranes for Cancer meets each Friday during school in the music theory classroom to build cranes and socialize with friends. Currently, the rough estimate of constructed cranes is about 600, with just 400 left to go.

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After the initial idea, said Zachery, everything kind of snowballed. “I decided that a club would be a great way to spread the word and attract some help. I really think we are going to make the lives of these cancer patients a lot more enjoyable while they are overcoming their illness.”

The Cranes for Cancer concept is not a unique one. There is an old Japanese tradition that 1,000 origami paper cranes will bring good luck. Local Cranes for Cancer groups across the country are providing baskets or vases of 1,000 cranes to cancer patients in hopes that they will bring hope and uplift spirits. 

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This past Friday, participating student volunteers traveled to their designated spots and got busy folding and having fun with their friends. In the near future, the club plans to take a trip to Anne Arundel Medical Center to deliver the fruits of their labor, play some music, and most importantly, to cheer up younger patients.

“The kids who must remain in their rooms all day absolutely love when people come and play games with them, or even just talk to them,” said Zachery. “I really think we are going to make the lives of these cancer patients a lot more enjoyable while they are working hard on overcoming cancer.”

“Ashley Zachery is an amazing young woman and the kids who have helped her begin this are incredible young people,” said advisor and BHS teacher Sandra Balderson. “I am impressed at every meeting with the energy and positive nature of these kids.”

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