Oliver Patch Project Launches the 2026 Great American Patch-Off, Turning Kids’ Creativity Into Real Patches for Children Battling Cancer

More than 600 teachers and school districts nationwide are joining the free K–12 art competition during Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month

MIAMI, Sept. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — This September, thousands of students across the country will turn their creativity into something much bigger than a classroom art project.

Oliver Patch Project (OPP), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit supporting children and families facing cancer, serious illness, and mental health challenges, today announced the 2026 Great American Patch-Off (GAPO), a free nationwide K–12 art competition taking place September 1 through September 30 during Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month.

More than 600 teachers and school districts are already registered, bringing classrooms across the country together around one simple idea:

Kids using their creativity to help other kids.

Students are invited to create an original patch design inspired by kindness, hope, encouragement, creativity, or community. Winning designs will be transformed into real embroidered patches and distributed to children facing cancer and serious illness across the United States.

Helping champion the initiative is an all star group of artists, creators, educators, influencers, and special guests with a combined social following of more than 6.9 million. The judges will join children supported by Oliver Patch Project in celebrating student creativity and selecting the winning designs.

“Kids have an incredible ability to help other kids, and we want them to understand that they are never too young to make a difference,” said Brian Burkhardt, Co Founder and Executive Director of Oliver Patch Project. “A child can sit down with a blank piece of paper, some crayons, and a little imagination and create something that may eventually be worn by another child going through one of the hardest experiences of their life. That is what makes the Great American Patch-Off so special.”

Creativity With a Bigger Purpose

The Great American Patch-Off gives students a tangible way to use art and creativity to support another child.

Participation is 100% free, with no fundraising requirement or purchase necessary. The competition is open to students in kindergarten through 12th grade, including public schools, private schools, charter schools, and homeschool communities.

Teachers receive free resources to make bringing the program into their classrooms simple and engaging. If you’re an teacher or educator and would like to participate: Sign up here!

“Children understand kindness,” Burkhardt said. “GAPO gives them a way to do something with it. They are not just learning about helping others. They are creating something with their own hands for another child.”

Student designs will be collected throughout September. Winning artwork will then be professionally produced as embroidered patches and shared with children and families supported by Oliver Patch Project.

From One Child’s Jacket to a National Movement

Oliver Patch Project began in 2020 after Brian and Trisha Burkhardt’s nine year old son, Oliver, was diagnosed with leukemia.

During treatment, his parents wanted to give him something positive to look forward to. Oliver loved collecting patches, so they asked approximately 100 friends and family members to send him one.

Within a month, more than 2,000 patches arrived, each carrying a story, message, or bit of encouragement.

Oliver added them to a denim jacket that became his personal “suit of armor” throughout treatment.

That simple idea grew into Oliver Patch Project.

Today, OPP has distributed more than 125,000 patches, works with 260+ hospital and healthcare partners, and supports children and families across all 50 states.

Now, the Great American Patch-Off brings that story full circle by putting the creativity behind those patches into the hands of kids across America.

A child creates it. Another child wears it. And a simple piece of art becomes a message that says, “You are not alone.”

Join the Great American Patch-Off

The 2026 Great American Patch-Off runs September 1 through September 30 during Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month.

Participation is free and open to K–12 students, teachers, schools, school districts, and homeschool communities nationwide.

To participate or learn more, visit thegreatamericanpatchoff.com

About Oliver Patch Project

Oliver Patch Project (OPP) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing love, support, and community to children and families facing cancer, serious illness, and mental health challenges, helping them feel seen, supported, and never alone.

Through patches, wearable encouragement, creative programming, and community partnerships, OPP provides tangible reminders to children and families across the country that they are supported throughout their journey.

SOURCE Oliver Patch Project

Media Contact:

Oliver Patch Project

Miami, Florida

press@oliverpatchproject.org 

305.588.1667

thegreatamericanpatchoff.com

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