Connect

This is the latest installment in our Connect article series “Hope at Work” — showcasing inspiring stories about how our team members contribute to UVA Health’s 10-year strategic plan: “One Future Together Health and Hope for All.” No matter where you work, you have an opportunity to inspire hope in others. These stories show how:

Lobby Transformed

What began as a quiet morning at UVA Health Prince William Medical Center in Manassas, Virginia, quickly transformed into a moment of color, connection, and meaning. More than 1,000 origami cranes filled the hospital’s main lobby, forming a striking display that delivered a powerful message: community care takes many forms.

The display marked the culmination of Origami for Hope, a volunteer-led fundraising campaign that raised more than $14,000 to benefit UVA Health Children’s in Charlottesville, Virginia. While the cranes captured attention for their beauty, their more profound significance could be found in what they represented: collective support for children and families receiving care close to home.

United in Celebration

Prince William Medical Center leaders; Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Labor and Delivery clinicians and volunteers; and community members gathered to celebrate the moment. Manassas Mayor Michelle Davis-Younger (above, second from left) attended in recognition of the role that community-driven efforts play in strengthening local healthcare.

“These cranes reflect the heart of our community,” Davis-Younger says. “They show how creativity and kindness can be transformed into real support for children and families when people come together with a shared purpose. This community is lucky to have access to great healthcare right here in our neighborhood!”

The People Behind the Cranes

Rico Li (pictured above, right), founder of The Crusaders of Chaotic Kindness, a team of Extra Lifers supporting Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, led the campaign. Through gaming, virtual events, and creative fundraising, the group turns grassroots participation into tangible impact for children’s hospitals nationwide.

Folding Hope, One Crane at a Time

Throughout the morning, Li and volunteer instructor Vincent Cao (pictured above, left) invited hospital team members, visitors, and families to fold origami cranes. The hands-on activity offered a moment of pause for those passing through the lobby and an opportunity to send messages of encouragement to patients throughout the hospital. 

In Japanese tradition, cranes are believed to live for 1,000 years, and senbazuru — the folding of 1,000 cranes — symbolizes wishes for hope, healing, and long life — making the display especially meaningful in a healthcare setting.

Global Effort | Local Impact

Although the finished display now fills a glass cabinet in the hospital’s entrance, the effort behind it extended far beyond the building. More than 30 volunteers across five states and four countries contributed their time, hosting 80+ hours of virtual events to reach the fundraising goal. The in-person installation served as a powerful bridge between global generosity and local impact.

“This has been such a great experience, and we surpassed our goal,” Li says. “It feels incredible to come into the medical center and share this art with others. We’re already thinking bigger for this year’s event.”

Supporting Children and Families Close to Home

The display also reflects UVA Health’s ongoing commitment to children and families in Northern Virginia. Prince William Medical Center is home to a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), providing advanced care for premature and critically ill newborns. In complex cases, care teams collaborate closely with specialists at UVA Health Children’s to ensure seamless, coordinated care. Last year, the NICU cared for 275 babies.

“This display is a meaningful reminder of the power of community and kindness,” says Mike Barkema, Associate Vice President of Operations, UVA Health Prince William Medical Center. “From our NICU to our partnerships with UVA Health Children’s and Pediatrics Manassas, our teams work together to provide exceptional care and events like this allow us to share hope and encouragement with every patient and family we serve.”

Lasting Symbol of Hope

For hospital team members and families alike, the origami cranes offered more than visual beauty —they created moments of uplift and connection in a space where compassion matters most.

Through shared traditions, creativity, and community partnerships, UVA Health continues its mission to transform health and inspire hope. The origami crane display stands as a reminder that even small acts of kindness can leave a lasting impact. Through gaming, virtual events, and creative fundraising, the group turns grassroots participation into tangible impact for children’s hospitals nationwide.