Kayoko showed me how to fold cranes out of newspaper.

I began to fold relentlessly.

Along the way, Betsy's family joined in. It took about 4 months to complete. Being new at this,  I gave Betsy the 1000 cranes in a big bag (of all things), and she put them in a large clear vase.

All through her treatment, we'd watch funny videos at her house, she'd eat candy, people would do kind things for her like cut the grass, do laundry, leave petals of flowers in her mailbox. It became clear to me that her story was more about the love she was recieving than about the cancer. I was overwhelmed at all the outpouring of love people showed her in the most creative of ways.

As a breast cancer navigator, I shared Betsy's outpouring of love by those who ran errands, did laundry, brought meals...that it was a way for her friends and family to do something during a time of powerlessness and it gave them a purpose! Watch their face and reaction when you allow them to do something! It is hard to accept help, but part of the healing process is enhanced by being surrounded by that "village" of people helping during a time of need.