His passion for life, blazing his own path, and inspiring people to be their best self was what Caleb strived for in his life."
In July 2018, just before the start of his senior year of high school, Caleb Ulrichs was diagnosed with leukemia. He was very involved in school, most notably in band, cheerleading, and track. After a courageous six month battle with cancer, Caleb passed on January 13, 2019. Throughout his sickness, Caleb never changed who he was. The initial Paper Crane Project was created to provide support for Caleb and his family. Caleb's memory lives on at his high school, in his family, and in all the activities he was involved in.
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Origami Paper Cranes |
Motivation |
In Japan, the crane is a mystical creature and is believed to live for 1,000 years. Due to this, it is said to bring good fortune and longevity. The crane has been called the "bird of happiness" by many Japanese. For many years, the origami crane has been a symbol of hope and healing. It is also said that on their wings, cranes carry the souls up to paradise. Based on these beliefs, it is said that if someone folds 1,000 paper cranes, then their one wish will come true.
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This project was created as a way to provide a tangible way for families, friends, and community members to show their support for a loved one suffering from an illness and/or going through a hard time. When the students at Caleb's high school felt helpless, no one knew what to do. One student felt compelled to help, so she created the first Paper Crane Project, which sparked the idea for this website.
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