Love Your Melon X Oliver Patch Project
Inspiration from one little beanie…
On January 23, 2021, Oliver Burkhardt was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. COVID had just begun, and the Burkhardt family was incredibly isolated. One day, Oliver’s Child Life Specialist brought in a care package and inside were a few things the family didn’t yet realize would mean so much, including a Love Your Melon (LYM) beanie. The timing was perfect: Oliver was losing his hair and was often cold in the hospital. It was exactly what he needed at exactly the right time.
That beanie provided warmth, but it also gave Oliver and his family something even bigger hope, and the reminder that they weren’t alone.
That moment of kindness from people they didn’t even know is at the heart of why the Burkhardt’s started the Oliver Patch Project (OPP). Today, OPP supports thousands of children, teens, and families worldwide facing cancer, illness, and mental health challenges, and has sent more than 100,000 patches across the globe.
Now, on January 23, 2026, five years later, the Oliver Patch Project is grateful to announce a capsule collaboration with Love Your Melon, supporting their Buy One, Give One model to help provide free beanies to cancer warriors. What started with one beanie has come full circle. This collaboration means so much more than patches on beanies, it’s love passed forward.
The Oliver Patch Project patches are so much more than pieces of material. Our patches reinforce hope, mend loneliness, and repair self doubt. Our patches represent support, compassion, and strength. Our patches are tokens of love, and are the symbols of our Warriors.
— Brian and Trisha, Oliver’s parents
Providing love, support and community…
It’s not just a patch, its a movement!
The Oliver Patch Project brings hope, strength, and encouragement to children, teens, and young adults facing cancer, physical illness, or mental health challenges. Through art, community, and storytelling OPP creates moments of connection and joy one patch and one warrior at a time.
Whether through their Warrior Garment Program, Peter’s Patches of Positivity, National Patch Day, Warrior to Warrior Project, or the Great American Patch-Off, Oliver Patch Project believes small acts of kindness can make a huge impact by turning isolation into belonging, giving every warrior a voice, and reminding them they are resilient and never alone.
Beanies and Patches with Purpose!
Shop the the LYM x OPP collection…and other fun stuff!
Watch video to learn how to bring your patches to life.
FOLLOW, LIKE, SHARE AND JOIN THE MOVEMENT
About LYM:
LYM is a beanie brand dedicated to giving a hat to every child battling cancer in America, as well as supporting nonprofit organizations that lead the fight against pediatric cancer. Founded in 2012 by two college friends, the company grew rapidly before its sale. In 2025, one of the original founders, Zachary Quinn, bought back LYM. Together with his family, Quinn is bringing the brand full circle. LYM is back with a renewed focus on its founding purpose and the future ahead. To date, over 270,00 hats have been donated and more than $10 million has been given to fund pediatric cancer research initiatives and family support. For every beanie sold, another will be given to a child battling cancer. In addition, fifteen percent (15%) of total revenue from the sale of accessories, add-ons, and warehouse sale items is given to LYM’s nonprofit partners in the fight against pediatric cancer. More information on LYM can be found at LYM.com. Follow LYM on Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok and YouTube.