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Why a Crane?

How the Crane Motif Helps Symbolize our Mission for the Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Clinical Cancer Center

You may wonder "what does a crane have to do with a cancer center?" As staff began planning for the Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Clinical Cancer Center, they looked for a visual emblem that would blend well with the Clinical Cancer Center’s mission — and with the architecture of the building. The crane seemed the perfect marriage.

“The crane holds cross-cultural appeal as a symbol of good health, longevity, compassion, protection and many similarly positive traits,” said Sue Derus, executive director of cancer services for Froedtert & Community Health. “As we learned more about this amazing bird, we found out the crane performs an annual migration flight - a very arduous journey that requires a great deal of strength and persistence. We believe this journey is symbolic of the well defined, but challenging path each cancer patient must take on: moving through treatment, emotional upheaval and recovery — toward a desired destination.”

Below are a few more reasons why the crane image ties in nicely with the Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Clinical Cancer Center:

The Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Clinical Cancer Center will offer comprehensive cancer services in an optimistic healing environment.
Cancer is often described as a journey, full of unknowns and many detours.
The Clinical Cancer Center is a place where cancer patients and their families can undertake the difficult journey in surroundings that are bright, hopeful and healing.
Staff chose the crane as a symbol for the Clinical Cancer Center because its image represents longevity, health, protection and wisdom in many cultures around the globe.
Like migrating cranes that fly many miles to reach their destination, cancer patients bravely face a long, frightening journey full of unknowns.

Derus adds that she and other staff members have also spoken with members of the International Crane Foundation (ICF) in Baraboo, Wis., about bringing the crane motif into the Clinical Cancer Center. Some of these ideas include offering ICF information at the Clinical Cancer Center, including it on notecards and displaying a piece of artwork. If you would like to learn more about the ICF, please visit savingcranes.org.

Date: Jan. 18, 2008