About Us

Our Story

Hello there! Thank you for visiting my website. My name is Ariel. I was inspired to start my business, 1k Paper Cranes by my mother Daphnye. She is a single mother of 4 children. As a strong woman full of wisdom and experience, she inspires me to do my best in all endeavors. Our journey together has been full of ups and downs, but no matter what happens, we are always together, supporting each other. Our most recent trial together was when she was first diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. As many of you can imagine, it was hard to accept. We lost many friends and gained new ones. We found that many people we knew did not understand the gravity of the diagnosis, and it took many days, questions, and tears to understand it ourselves. One overarching problem that my mom struggled to accept was hair loss due to her chemotherapy treatment. Her hair is part of her identity and a source of comfort. We searched all over the internet for the best wigs for her. I looked at multiple choices for free wigs for Cancer patients. The overall issue I found was the amount of paperwork and the time and money it takes to get a decent 100% human hair wig for her. I want to make this process easier for other people going through situations like cancer, alopecia, and other types of hair loss. Everyone deserves the opportunity and the tools to feel confident and beautiful. Her journey of great strength, and trials inspired me to start this business and name it 1k Paper Cranes.

1k Paper Cranes means a lot to her and holds great significance. In Japanese culture, the crane represents strength, courage, and long life. With its wings of protection and mythical status, the crane was often prayed to by mothers asking to protect their children. The first time we heard the story of 1,000 paper cranes, it was about a Japanese girl named Sadako Sasaki. Sadako had been exposed to radiation from one of the atomic bombs that had been dropped on Japan. By the time she was 12 years old, she had been diagnosed with Leukemia and given a year to live. She decided in the year she had to live to fold 1,000 paper cranes to make a wish at first to save her life but later it became a wish for world peace. Sadako's story and the symbolism of the crane inspired Daphnye to get a tattoo of a paper crane on her leg. 

When Daphnye and I first heard about Sadako's story and the qualities the crane possessed, it was 2012 and her husband was abusive. After 4 children, he decided he did not want any more children and forced my mom to get an abortion against her will otherwise he would abandon her and all her young children. My mom couldn't do anything about it and wanted to make sure we were taken care of, especially my much younger siblings. No matter what situation our family was in, both good and bad, my mom loved all of us even those she did not get to keep. In memory of her unborn child, she named him Evan and tattooed a paper crane on her ankle to remember them and to evoke protection for baby Evan. Looking back on it now, we had no idea her tattoo would come to hold so much more meaning during her cancer treatment 12 years later. 

Since the beginning of her treatment, Daphnye and I discovered how little people knew about Leukemia. All we knew was that it was a cancer of the blood. However, there are many different types of variants and genetic markers that tell Oncology doctors the type of blood cancer a patient has and the best ways to treat it. We learned there are three different major cells within the blood. Red Blood cells (a.k.a hemoglobin), White blood cells (a.k.a Neutrophils), and platelets. Hemoglobin carries oxygen around the body to your organs, while Neutrophils protect and fight against bacteria, fungi, and viruses. And platelets cause the body to clot and prevent catastrophic bleeding. During my mom's chemo treatment, all these significant blood cells were destroyed and confined Daphnye to the oncology floor in St. Luke's/Presbyterian Hospital. This meant drastic action was taken to maintain her body's stability, lots of pills, and several blood infusions of hemoglobin and platelets. Once she finished her Chemotherapy it became a waiting game to see when Daphnye's body would start making Neutrophils, since we could not take her home or even outside without her white blood cells being at 500 count. While we waited she suffered from significant bleeding from her bowels and was treated for a blood infection, the average cold, and even the flu. Each day during this difficult waiting period, was a major challenge of managing pain, prevention of bleeding, fevers, convulsions, and sleep. While all of this sounds drastic and frightening it was all par for the course. Doctors warned us what to expect during the treatment and to be prepared. All this to say, I am extremely grateful for how far we have come to treat various types of cancers like Leukemia and I want people to understand at least some aspects of dealing with such treatments. In the past, Leukemia often meant a death sentence for those diagnosed with it but the medical field has come a long way with treatments and survivability. Since the approval of stem cell research in the '90s, many Leukemia patients have been able to be 'cured' of their cancer through Bone Marrow Transplants. In oncology, it is said once you get a BMT you are given a new birthday and for some even a new blood type. However, for those lucky enough to get a Bone Marrow Transplant, there is a significant lifestyle change to consider and a lifelong management of health to learn. It is my sincerest wish to help educate the general public about Leukemia, and how it changes lives and families. Cancer patients and their families need advocates and support and that comes with education and understanding. 

Here at 1k Paper Cranes, we are dedicated to providing quality wigs to whoever needs a wig for various reasons including cancer. As well as those looking to spice up their look. For those looking for more information about Leukemia and how you can make a difference for patients and their families please check out featured links and contact us at arielrupp@1kpapercranes.com for further information about how you can make a difference. I hope you love our products and support me in supporting cancer patients. 

For more information about Leukemia and more please visit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society at this link.  Leukemia | Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (lls.org)