The Great American Patch Off
Let’s do this…together!
Together we can make a difference…
We’re excited to invite you and your school/organization to take part in the The Great American Patch Off, a national student art competition from the Oliver Patch Project (OPP).
This is no ordinary contest, it’s your chance to use your creativity to bring hope and joy to kids battling cancer! So grab your crayons, markers, or colored pencils and get ready to design a one-of-a-kind patch for a child who needs a reminder that they are strong, loved, and never alone.
The Great American Patch Off is open to all elementary, middle, and high school students and their amazing art teachers — who want to put their creativity to work for a cause that truly matters. At the Oliver Patch Project, we believe everyone is an artist, and we can’t wait to see your incredible original drawings!
An all-star panel of judges will select winning designs that will be turned into real patches and shared with children battling cancer across the United States. Imagine your artwork becoming a symbol of hope, proudly worn by young cancer warriors!
This special contest runs all September in honor of Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month and let’s make art that makes a difference!
How it Works
Fun, Free and Awesome!
• Open to all grade levels (Elementary, Middle, High)
• Students submit an original drawing or design
• Multiple winners will be chosen in each age group
• Winning artwork will be made into official OPP patches for kids battling cancer
• Winners and their schools will be featured on OPP’s Instagram page and receiving national recognition.
• Best of all—it’s FREE to participate and a chance to make a real difference!
When and Why?
When:
• Contest starts September 1, 2025
• Deadline: September 30, 2025
• Announced: October 31, 2025
Why:
The Great American Patch-Off Art Competition is a chance for students everywhere to join together in creativity and compassion during September’s Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month.
This contest is part of the Oliver Patch Project’s mission to bring love, support, and community to children and teens facing cancer. Since 2021, OPP has shared more than 85,000 patches of hope with kids across the nation. Through this program, students use their imagination and talent to create art that inspires and uplifts children in treatment.
By participating, students and their families will not only create meaningful artwork but also see, through social media, the joy and encouragement their designs bring to a community that needs it most.
At its core, this program is not about cancer itself, it is about showing love and standing with those who are bravely battling it.
Meet the Judges
Art Guidelines
Art Guidelines
• Up to 8 bold, solid colors (no shading or fancy gradients)
• Drawing must be original, positive and fun!
• Text is optional but not required (again something encouraging is great)
• Keep it simple. Bold drawings look great as a real patch.
• No scary, negative, or creepy stuff (no skulls).
• No Cancer ribbons, awareness symbols, or medical imagery.
• Artwork must be original so no Disney, Marvel, Pokémon, brands etc…
• Crayons, Colored pencils or Markers work great!
• Artwork must be your own creation—no copying or using trademarked images.
• All entries must be emailed or postmarked by September 30, 2025.
• Please note that submitted artwork will not be returned.
• Have fun! Your creativity is going to provide tons of smiles to the kids that need it most!
Submissions
Some Info
• All entries must be emailed or postmarked by September 30, 2025.
• Please note that submitted artwork will not be returned.
• Have fun! Your creativity is going to provide tons of smiles to the kids that need it most!
Both Official Entry Form and Patch Design required
• Official Entry Form (*teacher info and parent signature sheet)
• Patch Design Sheet (*design page for artist drawings)
All entries submitted by art teacher via email or mail
Submit drawings via email or Google/Dropbox link: hello@oliverpatchproject.org
or mail :
Oliver Patch Project
13131 SW. 132ND ST, STE 105
Miami FL 33186
Awesome Prizes
Can anyone say WOOOHOOO?
• Winning students and their art teachers will receive patches of their winning design along with a mystery bag packed full of AWESOME prizes!
Making an Impact
Impact is Everything!
The winning students’ patch designs will be brought to life and proudly worn by children, teens, and young adults battling cancer on their custom Oliver Patch Project jackets and totes—a powerful reminder that they are loved and supported. About a month after winners are selected, our cancer warriors will be rocking these patches, and students will be able to see the impact of their creativity firsthand through our social media channels.
To learn more about Oliver Patch Project click here. If you know a family with a child battling cancer please share our 100% Fun, Free and Awesome program with them.
Teacher Info and Fun Stuff
Let’s keep it simple
To keep it as simple here is how it works. There are four forms… two for the classroom and two mandatory for artwork submission and consideration:
Post and share with your students and parents
• Guidelines and Contest Rules
These are the two required sheets for artwork submission:
Official Entry Form – Must be fully completed with teacher, school, student information, and parent/guardian signature.
Patch Design Sheet – Print this out for students to create their design. Basic student information should be filled in at the bottom.
Free Fun Stuff
• Fun Downloadable Coloring Sheets
• OPP Patches of Positivity Animations
Let’s Celebrate!
Schools and students will be celebrated on Oliver Patch Project’s Instagram page where they can see their impact. Participating schools recognized nationally throughout the year for their creativity and compassion.
To learn more about Oliver Patch Project click here.
If you know a family with a child battling cancer please share our 100% Fun, Free and Awesome program with them.
Are you a company, organization or foundation interested in supporting OPP?
Email us to learn more about our corporate sponsorship and in-kind contribution programs.