Thousands of US students participate in 2026 Great American Patch-Off

MIAMI, In a heartwarming initiative during Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month, thousands of students across the United States are participating in the 2026 Great American Patch-Off (GAPO), a free K, 12 art competition organized by Oliver Patch Project (OPP), a nonprofit dedicated to supporting children and families facing cancer, serious illness, and mental health challenges.

More than 600 teachers and school districts have registered for the competition, aiming to unite classrooms nationwide around a simple yet powerful idea: kids using their creativity to help other kids. The competition, which runs from September 1 to September 30, encourages students to create original patch designs inspired by kindness, hope, encouragement, creativity, or community. Winning designs will be transformed into real, embroidered patches and distributed to children battling cancer and serious illnesses across the country.

The initiative has garnered support from an impressive roster of artists, creators, educators, and influencers, who collectively boast a social media following of over 6.9 million. These judges will join children supported by OPP in celebrating student creativity and selecting the winning designs.

Brian Burkhardt, co-founder and executive director of OPP, emphasized the significance of the project, stating, "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. 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."

The competition offers a tangible way for students to use their creativity to support their peers, with no fundraising requirement or purchase necessary. Participation 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.

Burkhardt added, "Children understand kindness. 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."

The student designs will be collected throughout September, with winning artwork professionally produced as embroidered patches and shared with children and families supported by OPP. This initiative marks a full-circle moment for the organization, which began in 2020 after Burkhardt's nine-year-old son, Oliver, was diagnosed with leukemia. During treatment, Oliver's parents asked friends and family to send him patches, leading to a flood of 2,000+ patches that became his personal "suit of armor." The simple idea grew into OPP, which has since distributed over 125,000 patches and works with 260+ hospital and healthcare partners, supporting children and families across all 50 states.

The 2026 Great American Patch-Off invites all K, 12 students, teachers, schools, school districts, and homeschool communities to join the movement. To participate or learn more, visit thegreatamericanpatchoff.com.