Since its inception in 2004, the Doernbecher Freestyle program has raised nearly $17 million for OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital in Portland, Oregon. To celebrate the ongoing community support and interest in this one-of-a-kind fundraiser, which pairs hospital patients with NIKE, Inc. designers to create custom shoe and apparel collections, the 2017 program has increased the number of patient-designers from six to nine.
The 2017 Doernbecher Freestyle patient-designers are:
- Brayden Sparkman, 13, Salem, Oregon
- Carissa Navarro, 8, Springfield, Oregon
- Joe MacDonald, 14, Gresham, Oregon
- Brody Miller, 11, Portland, Oregon
- Ethan Frank, 13, Medford, Oregon
- Amyiah Robinson, 11, Portland, Oregon
- Andrew Merydith, 15, Springfield, Oregon
- Sophia Malinoski, 10, Portland, Oregon
- Tylan Hibbard, 15, Eugene, Oregon
“This extraordinary program honors the creativity, strength and spirit of every child and family that visits OHSU Doernbecher,” said Dana Braner, M.D., F.A.A.P., F.C.C.M., physician-in-chief and chair of the Department of Pediatrics, OHSU Doernbecher, OHSU School of Medicine. “Philanthropy, such as Doernbecher Freestyle, enables us as health care providers, educators, scientists and advocates to do our jobs, and continue to be a resource for every child and family that needs the world-class services OHSU Doernbecher provides. This program allows the world to see our children as we and Nike already do, as superstars. We are ever grateful to Nike, as well as a vast community of institutional and individual supporters, for their efforts to improve the lives of children across Oregon, Southwest Washington and beyond.”
Doernbecher Freestyle was conceived by Michael Doherty, Senior Creative Director of Nike Global Brand Presentations and longtime board member of the Doernbecher Children’s Hospital Foundation, after his son suggested Nike produce limited-edition shoes to honor patients and benefit the hospital.
Each year, hospital physicians, nurses and staff nominate patients ages 8 - 15 from around Oregon and Southwest Washington to participate in the program. The selected kids work side-by-side with dedicated Nike design and development teams to brainstorm ideas, select materials and work with vendors to make even the most extraordinary visions come to life. These young patients use their designs to express powerful personal messages — sometimes serious, sometimes whimsical — about their life experiences, medical journey and hopes for the future. The program provides an opportunity for each patient designer to help other kids at the same hospital that changed their lives.
Later this year, the footwear and apparel designs will be revealed and made available for purchase. All proceeds will be donated to OHSU Doernbecher to expand pioneering research, support clinical care, purchase state-of-the-art equipment, recruit new pediatric experts and help cover the cost of care for families in need.
Meet the Doernbecher Freestyle XIV Patient-Designers
Brayden Sparkman, 13
Diagnosis: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Hometown: Salem, Oregon
Favorite Sport: Baseball
Secret talent: Pitching hard for his age
Favorite subject in school: Math
Carissa Navarro, 8
Diagnosis: Bilateral renal agenesis, end stage kidney disease (born without kidneys)
Hometown: Springfield, Oregon
Did you know? Carissa has a twin sister
Favorite activity: Playing Minecraft
Perfect day: Playing basketball on a summer day
Joe MacDonald, 14
Diagnosis: Burkitt leukemia
Hometown: Gresham, Oregon
Prized possession: Autographed Clay Matthews jersey
Favorite subject in school: Social studies
Dream job: Football player and a counselor at camp for cancer survivors and siblings
Brody Miller, 11
Diagnosis: Complex dural arteriovenous fistula (complex brain malformation)
Hometown: Portland, Oregon
Favorite activities: Drawing and archery
Favorite sport: Baseball
Hidden talent: Expert on superheroes
Ethan Frank, 13
Diagnosis: Brain tumor
Hometown: Medford, Oregon
Did you know? Ethan has a second-degree black belt
Secret talent: Playing the trumpet
Perfect day: A road trip with family
Amyiah Robinson, 11
Diagnosis: Sickle cell anemia, indeterminate colitis
Hometown: Portland, Oregon
Favorite sports: Football and basketball
Perfect day: No school and lots of candy
Favorite hobbies: Playing sports and making art
Andrew Merydith, 15
Diagnosis: Cystic fibrosis
Hometown: Springfield, Oregon
Secret talent: Running very fast
Favorite subject in school: History
Perfect day: Earning an A+ on finals and scoring the winning touchdown
Sophia Malinoksi, 10
Diagnosis: Brain tumor
Hometown: Portland, Oregon
Secret talent: Can kick with left and right foot in soccer
Favorite activities: Climbing trees, reading and sports
Perfect day: Eating strawberry shortcake for breakfast, lunch and dinner
Tylan Hibbard, 15
Diagnosis: Truncus arteriosus (congenital heart defect)
Hometown: Eugene, Oregon
Personal motto: Be kind
Secret talent: Doing wheelies on a bike
Favorite activities: Quad riding and fishing