Sadako Sasaki was born in Hiroshima, Japan in 1943. As she grew up, she was a happy and active child. When she was 10 however, she collapsed while running in a race. She was taken to hospital and found to have leukaemia.

In hospital she started to fold origami cranes from the paper wrappers of her medicine. The crane is a symbol of great fortune in Japan. To be blessed by one thousand cranes is fortunate beyond belief. Sadako prayed that if she could fold one thousand cranes she would get better and be able to leave the hospital and play with her friends again.

Slowly, Sadako saw the other people in her ward dying. No-one ever got better. No one ever left except to die. Sadako knew that her prayer would not be answered. Sometimes not even the gods can undo the folly of mortals. So she changed her prayer.

Sadako prayed that if she could fold one thousand cranes, people would live in peace. That there would be no more Hiroshima's, no more Nagasaki's, no more wars.

Sadako died after folding around 1500 cranes. Her friends continued to fold cranes. And Sadako's story spread. In 1958 a statue of Sadako Sasaki was unveiled in Hiroshima Peace Park. Every year, thousands of people send cranes to be placed upon her statue on 17th November, world peace day.