WHY WE FORMED

Thousand Cranes was established in memory of Keiko Williams, who passed away on May 1, 2012, after a courageous battle with ovarian cancer. As a young woman in Japan, Keiko was a survivor of human trafficking. She was rescued from this dire situation by a U.S. Navy sailor who later became her husband. Upon arriving in the United States, she dedicated herself to building a new life—enrolling in night school to learn English, obtaining U.S. citizenship, and fully embracing her adopted country and its culture.

Keiko exemplified resilience and determination throughout her life. She refused to see herself as a victim, instead embodying the spirit of perseverance. She worked two jobs to support her husband through school, overcame smoking in a single day after losing a friend to lung cancer, and successfully underwent surgery to overcome cervical cancer.

A deeply compassionate individual, Keiko carried forward the Japanese tradition of "Senbazuru", the legend of a thousand origami cranes symbolizing hope and healing. She meticulously crafted and gifted these cranes to friends and family members facing illness, offering them as a gesture of encouragement and faith in recovery.

In late 2010, Keiko was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer. Despite enduring multiple rounds of chemotherapy and surgery, she remained steadfast in her battle. During her treatment, her grandchildren honored her legacy by presenting her with a thousand origami cranes—a tribute to the very tradition she had lovingly shared with others.

Following her passing, her daughter used a cherished family heirloom—a ring inherited from Keiko—as the foundation’s initial seed funding.

Thousand Cranes is dedicated to carrying forward Keiko’s legacy, guided by faith and service to the Lord, as a means of bringing hope and support to those in need.