Proudly Serving the pediatric cancer community, ages 0-21.
Get your free Instrument Backpack or Guitar here!
Our Mission:
1) To distribute quality musical instruments to infants, children and adolescents with a cancer diagnosis in both inpatient and outpatient settings. To sign up for instruments, as an individual or institution, click here
2) To cultivate music in all forms: lessons, music therapy and performance (live in-person, streamed and recorded) by connecting children with musicians, artists, music therapists and music teachers. To volunteer or to otherwise contact us about supporting music access, follow this link
3) To promote awareness and provide financial support for pediatric cancer by raising funds for research to find more effective, less toxic therapies for pediatric brain cancer. To learn more about this click here
Check out our partnership with the Children’s Brain Tumor Network
Rachel Krieger, Ollie’s mom and co-founder of Ollie’s Orchestra spoke at a Congressional Town Hall, advocating for the passage of the Data for Pediatric Brain Cancer Act
100% of your donations support this mission. Donate today!
Ollie’s Orchestra’s backpack
About Ollie
Ollie is our inspiration for both Ollie’s Orchestra and life. Ollie was diagnosed in April 2019 at 9-months-old with Atypical Teratoid Rhabdoid Tumor (ATRT), a rare tumor of the brain and spine. Ollie and his family discovered the power of music shortly after diagnosis while facing the horrors of cancer treatment. This photo was taken in February 2022, at 3.5 years old. Ollie is now 6 years old and has been stable since May 2021. He is followed closely at CHOP. Ollie is a true joy who loves his 3 little brothers, his family and friends. He is a constant reminder to live in each moment and to stop and listen to the music.
About us
We founded Ollie’s Orchestra after experiencing firsthand the calming and joyful effect that music has on our Ollie. During Ollie’s initial cancer treatment, we spent over 120 nights at Boston Children’s Hospital. During that time, music therapists, professional musicians, child life specialists, physical and occupational therapists, and dedicated clinical staff used music to soothe, distract, and bring joy to Ollie. We watched Ollie transform from a child fighting cancer to a baby, and later a toddler, enchanted by everything from “Elmo’s Song” to “Bach’s Cello Suite No. 1.” Music has continued to be a lifeline, giving us joy, hope, and moments of healing through unimaginable challenges. Ollie’s Orchestra exists to pay that gift forward, offering similar experiences to children with cancer and their families. To those on this journey with us, we hope you feel the love and know you are not alone.
With love,
Rachel and Max (Ollie’s parents)
“Music has healing power. It has the ability to take people out of themselves for a few hours.” - Elton John
History of Ollie’s Orchestra - The Nonprofit
In February 2021, Ollie had a routine MRI scan that appeared to show Ollie’s brain tumor had spread to his liver, leading experts from around the world to agree he had less than a month to live. Tests were performed to manage Ollie’s end of life care and instead, Ollie’s family was blessed with a miracle when biopsy results showed the new lesions were not cancerous. Ollie’s family decided the time was right to launch Ollie’s Orchestra - the family brainchild from early days in treatment. Papers were filed. On June 15, 2021, the Make-A-Wish Foundation granted Ollie’s wish of creating his first shipment of backpacks. 35 Ollie’s Orchestra backpacks were donated to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), where Ollie is currently being treated. The backpacks received a great response from children and Child Life Specialists at CHOP and Ollie’s Orchestra was launched to the world!
Ollie and his parents, Rachel and Max, dropping off the first round of backpacks.
A note that was placed in each backpack.