To celebrate Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, HOSA decorated the H-building halls with 1,000 paper cranes as a way to bring attention to this cause.

“There is this book called Sadako and it’s about a girl that was in Hiroshima, Japan when that nuclear bomb was dropped in 1945.” HOSA adviser Kristin Winfield said. “Because of that, she got cancer and had heard an old tale that if you folded 1,000 cranes you would get one wish. The book is actually really cute, we had our club kids read it.” 

Even though HOSA has folded cranes in the past for this cause, this is the first time they are on display.

“We had so many leftovers, trashbags full of cranes from past years.” HOSA president Yusra Shafique said. “It was really cool to see them shown in this way. I would come in during open periods and in class to help string them together and make the ribbons. The whole school supported us, it wasn’t just HOSA, it was Key Club and others who were not in clubs who just came in to volunteer. I’m so happy with how it turned out.”

This issue is especially important to Winfield due to her firsthand experience with childhood cancer.

“My son has been battling cancer for about six years.” Winfield said. “Childhood cancer awareness month is super important to me, but I want people to know that it is not only the month of September, it is everyday for us. It is really important, especially because most of my kids in HOSA are in the medical field, that they understand to give back.”

Along with the cranes, students from HOSA, as well as NHS, made 414 cards that will be donated to the Tyler Robinson Foundation and the Candlelighters of Nevada to hopefully bring joy to victims of childhood cancer.

“Looking through all of the cards really brightened my day,” senior Isabel Gomez said. “They said things like ‘Shine Bright’ and ‘Keep Fighting.’ It’s heartwarming knowing that all of this positivity is going to kids in need.”

Because victims of childhood cancer do not always get the support that they need, Winfield sees this as a great opportunity to get more students involved and aware of the issue.

“Only 4.5% of funding actually goes to childhood cancer awareness.” Winfield said. “Not that every other cancer isn’t important, but obviously breast cancer is the big one that people are most familiar with. People don’t think about kids as getting cancer so I am here to testify that it does happen. There are 85 kids a day that are diagnosed with cancer, and you never think that it’s going to happen to you until it does.” 

As more people take notice of HOSA’s artistic actions, Shafique sees the club creating more displays like this in the future.

“Being in the medical field, this cause is important to me because childhood cancer is not something that is highlighted a lot of the time.” Shafique said. “Getting the word out and making sure that students see the cause is really important, especially because this is something so close to Mrs. Winfeid’s heart. I am looking forward to doing other things like this for other causes in the future.”

Because gaining support is crucial for cancer families, Winfield stresses the importance of becoming a volunteer for childhood cancer foundations. 

“Like I said there are different organizations here, there is the Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation (NCCF), the Tyler Robinson Foundation, and the Candlelighters of Nevada, all of which my son is a part of.” Winfield said. “My son was diagnosed in March 2016 with T-Cell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma Non-Hodgkins. He has lost his ability to walk, had pancreatitis twice, and become a type 1 diabetic because of toxicity poisoning from chemo. I have a wonderful support system and community that have been very supportive throughout his treatment. His journey has been extremely tough and nothing short of an emotional roller coaster, but life has taught us to be grateful for every moment we have to spend with one another.”

By decorating the walls with cranes, Winfield hopes that others will be reminded of the hardships cancer families face and donate their time or money.

“It is really important to get that funding,” Winfield said. “I remember when my son was going through active chemo therapy the doctors were constantly trying to do drugs on him, which made him really sick. They even told me he wouldn’t make it through the night. One day you can be fine, and the next just torn apart. It is really good to get that information out to help these kids and help find a cure for them.”