WATERTOWN, New York (WWNY) - At Beaver River’s Choral Festival, paper cranes took center stage this year. A tribute to Sadako Sasaki.

“It feels pretty great to show her story, and spread it around our community, to show peace and what it’s really like to be together,” said Ryan Terrillion.

Sadako Sasaki was two years old when the US dropped a nuclear bomb on Hiroshima, her home. She wasn’t harmed in the blast, but as a result of radiation exposure, she developed leukemia that took her life at age 12. While in the hospital, she folded paper cranes. According to a Japanese legend, folding 1000 cranes grants someone a wish. Before her death, Sasaki accomplished that goal and cast her wish for peace in the world.

“I feel like it’s really important for other kids who are struggling to feel p

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