Somewhere among paintbrushes, cameras, and a sprawling 260-foot mural, America discovered its newest young artistic sensation.

Colossal, the nationally recognized fundraising platform known for purpose-driven online competitions, has officially crowned Pearse as this year’s America’s Most Artistic Kid. The title honors creativity, originality, and artistic talent on a national stage. As the winner, Pearse will receive a $20,000 grand prize, appear in an upcoming episode of The Joy of Painting with Nicholas Hankins on public television, and showcase her artwork at the Bob Ross Experience exhibit inside Minnetrista Museum & Gardens.

Organized by Colossal alongside DTCare, Bob Ross Inc., and Blood Cancer United®—a leading nonprofit supporting individuals and families affected by blood cancer—the competition brought together thousands of young artists nationwide. The campaign also raised an impressive $1,665,882 for blood cancer support initiatives.

The proceeds will further Blood Cancer United’s mission to advance treatments, fund groundbreaking research, and improve the lives of patients and families dealing with blood cancers. The organization also supports pediatric hospital programs and emotional care services, ensuring children and their loved ones receive both medical and personal support throughout treatment.

America’s Most Artistic Kid operates as a fundraising initiative for DTCare, a registered U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, which directs funds raised through the competition to Blood Cancer United.

Creativity and Healing
For children battling cancer, artistic expression often becomes more than a hobby—it serves as an important therapeutic outlet. Through art therapy and creative programs in hospitals, young patients can communicate emotions, build connections, and experience moments of comfort during difficult treatments.

“Art provides these children with a meaningful way to express themselves,” said Dr. Andy Kolb, CEO of Blood Cancer United. “It allows them to process emotions, engage with the world differently, and ultimately becomes part of their healing journey.”

Hosted by David Arquette
Actor, visual artist, and devoted Bob Ross enthusiast David Arquette hosted this year’s competition. As a Certified Ross Instructor®, Arquette combines his background in street art with landscape painting and inspired participants through virtual workshops designed to encourage fearless creativity.

Partnership With Minnetrista Museum & Gardens
Based in Muncie, Indiana, Minnetrista Museum & Gardens houses the Bob Ross Experience, an immersive exhibit dedicated to the beloved painter’s legacy. Visitors can explore Ross’ original filming studio, a recreated 1980s-style living room, galleries featuring his artwork, painting workshops, and personal memorabilia celebrating his life and influence.

Pearse: America’s Most Artistic Kid
Pearse captured attention not only for her dynamic artistic style but also for her commitment to community involvement. Her colorful, energetic creations span painting, crocheting, ceramics, and even welding. One of her most notable projects was designing a 260-foot mural for her local YMCA, where she encouraged community members to contribute supplies and participate in bringing the mural to life.

Audiences can look forward to seeing Pearse featured in an upcoming episode of The Joy of Painting with Nicholas Hankins, introducing a fresh generation of artistic inspiration to viewers across the country.

Artist’s Pick: Cadence
Cadence also earned recognition for her remarkably lifelike and emotionally expressive oil paintings. A self-taught artist who began creating art at the age of two, she credits her late uncle as a major inspiration and says his influence guides every piece she paints. This fall, Cadence plans to attend art school while continuing work on three illustrated children’s books she is both writing and illustrating.

Click here to know more.

At Viatris, we recognize that mental health is a vital component of overall wellbeing. This World Mental Health Day, we take time to reflect on the collective efforts of our global teams and partners who continue to raise awareness, improve access to care, and foster greater understanding for people living with mental health conditions.

Throughout 2024, our initiatives focused on four key areas: raising awareness, educating and training healthcare professionals, collaborating with governments and institutions, and advancing research and treatment development.

Promoting Awareness

Education and Training

In Brazil, we helped develop a comprehensive care guideline to improve mental health access, reduce stigma, and strengthen primary care treatment. The program includes evidence-based protocols, diagnostic tools, ongoing training for general practitioners, and integration with specialized care networks.

Government and Institutional Partnerships

We signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Egypt’s Ministry of Health to support the “Your Health is Happiness” program—part of the national 100 Million Health initiative. The program aims to screen 2 million people for mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, autism, and addiction, while also funding public awareness efforts and capacity building.

Research and Treatment Development
In Japan, Viatris submitted applications to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare seeking approval for Effexor as a treatment for adults with generalized anxiety disorder—an area currently lacking approved options. In 2024, we also published results from a Phase 3 clinical study confirming the treatment’s safety and efficacy.

Exploring Art to Deepen Understanding of Mental Health
In Spain, the Viatris Foundation hosted “La Mente sobre el Lienzo” (“Mind on Canvas”) at the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía. The event united psychiatrists and art experts to explore how art can be used to understand and express mental health experiences. Participants toured some of the museum’s most significant works, discussing how art can symbolize emotion, life experiences, and inner struggles, and how it can serve as a source of comfort and healing for those affected by mental health conditions.

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are the world’s leading cause of death, creating an immense strain on individuals, healthcare systems, and economies. Every year, around 18 million people die prematurely—before reaching 70—from NCDs such as cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory conditions, and diabetes. Most of these deaths occur in low- and lower-middle-income nations.¹

Viatris’ extensive portfolio—spanning both established and innovative medicines—targets many of these health challenges, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, respiratory illnesses, dermatologic conditions, and eye disorders. In 2024, Viatris advanced access to essential treatments through several global initiatives:

“MS Canada estimates that approximately 90,000 Canadians live with multiple sclerosis—one of the highest prevalence rates globally. Because symptoms vary widely, access to a range of therapeutic options is essential,” Jeffrey L., Canada Country Manager, Viatris
 
Combating Cardiovascular Disease
Cardiovascular disease remains the foremost contributor to NCD-related deaths worldwide.² Viatris is tackling this global challenge through prevention, diagnosis, and treatment efforts, supported by an expansive portfolio and strategic collaborations.

Key 2024 initiatives included:

The partnership with Lexicon Pharmaceuticals for sotagliflozin further strengthened Viatris’ cardiovascular portfolio, broadening access to patients globally through its extensive infrastructure.
 
Addressing Hypertension
High blood pressure is a critical cardiovascular risk factor that increases the likelihood of heart disease, stroke, and other complications. Viatris’ 2024 efforts focused on raising awareness, educating healthcare providers, and enhancing treatment access:

 
Promoting Mental Health
Roughly one in eight people worldwide live with a mental health condition—most commonly anxiety or depression.³ Despite growing global awareness, barriers such as stigma, limited literacy, and inadequate services persist. Viatris continues to collaborate globally to improve mental health awareness, training, and access to care.

Awareness Initiatives

Creative Engagement
The Viatris Foundation in Spain hosted La Mente sobre el Lienzo (“Mind on Canvas”) at the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, exploring how art can foster empathy and dialogue about mental health.

“Art can be a powerful medium for emotional expression, helping people living with mental health conditions feel seen, supported, and understood,” João M., President, Viatris Spain Foundation
 
Expanding Access Through Digital Health
Viatris is harnessing technology and digital therapeutics (DTx) to enhance patient care and access—particularly in underserved areas. DTx are evidence-based software interventions that help prevent, manage, or treat various conditions, often using AI and machine learning to personalize care.

In Europe, Viatris co-authored Adoption of Digital Therapeutics in Europe, a study assessing regulatory, reimbursement, and implementation challenges.

Additional digital initiatives included:

 
Encouraging Responsible Medicine Use
Ensuring patients use medications safely and adhere to treatment plans is central to Viatris’ mission. The company provides digital tools—including websites, portals, and apps—to track symptoms, manage refills, and offer real-time insights for healthcare providers.

Across Europe, Viatris also supports individual dose dispensing systems to minimize medication errors and improve adherence, especially among older adults managing multiple prescriptions.

When living with a condition that often brings pain and necessitates frequent medical visits, finding comfort becomes essential. This is the reality for approximately 100,000 Americans affected by sickle cell disease, including over 4,000 in South Carolina alone.
 
In July, University of South Carolina's celebrated Head Basketball Coach, Dawn Staley, partnered with Aflac to offer comfort to 16 pediatric sickle cell patients at Prisma Health Children's Hospital-Midlands by gifting them their very own My Special Aflac Duck®. This robotic companion helps children express their emotions, get ready for medical procedures, practice distraction techniques, and more.
 
Before receiving their new companions from Coach Staley, the children participated in a scavenger hunt through the hospital. The sickle cell version of My Special Aflac Duck features a special cape, resembling a blanket, to reflect the sensitivity sickle cell patients often have to temperature changes. The cape also serves as art therapy, transforming into a color-changing canvas when activated by water.
 
Designed in collaboration with over 100 children, families, and healthcare professionals, this duck uses medical play and lifelike movements to support children during their treatments. In 2022, Aflac enhanced the program to include specific accessories that assist pediatric sickle cell patients with their care routines.
 
Since the program's launch in 2018, Aflac has distributed over 31,000 My Special Aflac Ducks to children in the U.S., Japan, and Northern Ireland, with nearly a third going to those diagnosed with sickle cell disease. Aflac’s dedication to supporting pediatric cancer and blood disorders has spanned decades, with more than $184 million contributed to treatment and research since 1995 by Aflac employees, independent agents, and The Aflac Foundation, Inc.
 
Healthcare providers, support organizations, and families can request a free My Special Aflac Duck for children aged 3 and older who have been diagnosed with cancer or sickle cell disease by click here.