The sister of a girl who suffered a severe brain injury when she was hit by a vehicle in a Saanich crosswalk three years ago has started a fundraiser to help a charity that supported her family in the wake of the crash.
Leila Bui, who was 11 when she was struck, was able to return home after six months in hospital, but the collision left her needing a wheelchair and requiring round-the-clock care.
The Help Fill a Dream Foundation supported the family by paying for meals and accommodation while Leila was in B.C. Children’s Hospital in Vancouver. When they returned, the foundation had a wheelchair ramp built at their house. It also helped the family to purchase a wheelchair-accessible van to get her to medical appointments.
The experience inspired Leila’s 11-year-old sister Myla Bui to launch her 1,001 Cranes, 1 Wish campaign, based on an ancient Japanese belief that anyone who folds 1,000 origami cranes will be granted a wish — the extra crane is for good luck.
“It all started with me teaching Myla how to fold cranes as a therapeutic way to pass time when we were at the hospital,” said her mother, Kairry Nguyen. “So when we were coming up with ideas for a project to give back to the community, Myla came up with the idea of folding 2,202 cranes, planning to collect a dollar for each crane.”
They created a Facebook page last week and shared it among schoolmates, friends and family, expecting to collect no more than $500.
“We thought that 2,002 was already a high bar,” said Nguyen.
But the response has been more than expected. In less than a week since they launched the initiative, they have raised more than $7,000.
“The page just got shared and shared and shared. I just can’t believe how big and how fast it grew.”
To fold thousands of cranes, Myla has enlisted the help of her parents, brother Jace, 8, older sister Quynh, 16, friends and schoolmates. They hope to get them done by Christmas.
With donations to charities down because of COVID-19, the donation could not have come at a better time to help other families at Help Fill a Dream Foundation, said Craig Smith, executive director of the Victoria-based foundation.
“Every family we help approaches their journey differently, but this is a story of a young girl who, despite the trauma in her family life, wants to help others instead. It is a genuine, heartfelt story that gives me goosebumps.”
He said the act of creating a crane is a powerful symbol, as each crane represents an act of goodness.
Help Fill a Dream Foundation supports families from Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands whose lives have suddenly changed due to their child’s diagnosis. After the treatment is complete, the foundation tries to help fill a dream for the child.
The plan is for 1,000 cranes to be strung together to make a mobile that would be presented to a child, along with a donation of $1,000 toward making their dream come true.
“My heart sings when I see a child perform such a selfless act,” said Smith. “There is hope in the world if there are more kids like Myla.”
For every $1 donation, Myla will fold one origami crane with your name on it (if wanted). Donate by mail or drop off your donation (cheques should be made out to Kairry Nguyen) at 1703 Ash Rd., Victoria B.C. V8N 2T7. People wishing to e-transfer can email [email protected].
