BROOKVILLE, N.Y. (Dec. 17, 2010) - C.W. Post student-athletes combined with peers, faculty, and staff to help a young cancer patient fulfill his wish this past Tuesday afternoon, December 15, in the Hillwood Commons Fishbowl.  Ten-year old David Heard of Easton, Pa, was diagnosed with stage IV nueroblastoma in 2008 and has since made it his goal to donate 200,000 paper cranes to pediatric cancer centers across the United States.

From 4-7pm Tuesday, C.W. Post hosted an effort to create 1,000 cranes to send to David.  According to Japanese lore, if a person folds 1,000 origami paper cranes, they will be granted one wish by a crane.  Origami cranes are often given as gifts and symbolize hope to their receiver.  In light of this legend, David made it his own wish to be able to send 1,000 cranes to each pediatric cancer center in the nation.

The C.W. Post Arts Management Program, in coordination with the School of Visual and Performing Arts' Dean's Office, organized the event, teaching tables full of volunteers to fold small squares of paper into tiny origami birds.  The goal of 1,000 cranes was met, and exceeded, even before the 7pm end time and the bags full of the miniature paper cranes will be sent to David immediately, helping him achieve his wish.