How colorful, personalized patches bring joy to young cancer patients
A Miami charity is helping children with cancer by sending them denim jackets and tote bags adorned with decorative patches
MIAMI (AP) — When Oliver Burkhardt underwent leukemia treatment at age 9, he'd enter the hospital wearing his patch-covered denim jacket. Pokemon. Superman. NASA. Police, fire, military. Classic rock bands. About 50 patches sewn on by his parents, selected from thousands sent by well-wishers worldwide after his dad made a social media request.
The jacket became Oliver's suit of armor, deflecting his disease — and the nasty side effects of his treatment. It sparked conversations with nurses. His parents decorated their own jackets, showing they are a team. The patches made Oliver feel special.
“I knew people were looking out for me, they gave me positive vibes, that people loved me,” said Oliver, now 13 and in remission.
Seeing how the jacket and its patches helped Oliver, he and his parents, Brian Burkhardt and Trisha Brookbank, thought other kids battling cancer might like one, too. The couple, who come from art backgrounds, reached out to their designer friends and within a day received 300 renderings for possible patches.
