It was a special evening on Friday when six young patient-designers revealed their personally designed Nike shoes for the Doernbecher Freestyle program, a longstanding partnership between Oregon Health & Science University Doernbecher Children’s Hospital and Nike.
Now in its 20th year, the program represents 122 patient-designers who have sparked hope and generosity with their inspiring stories and creative designs.
Since its inception in 2004, the Doernbecher Freestyle program has given young patients the opportunity to create their own footwear design , which is released and auctioned, with all profits benefiting the children’s hospital that changed their lives.
Made possible by the support of hundreds of NIKE, Inc. employees who volunteer their time to make each patient’s design dreams come true, Doernbecher Freestyle has produced hundreds of creative designs over the years. The program has also engaged thousands of generous donors and community members, raising more than $40 million to support the children’s hospital’s vital mission.
The shoes, which reflect the patient-designers’ personal journeys, passions and personalities, will be available on the SNKRS app and at select retailers this winter.
“As we celebrate Doernbecher Freestyle’s 20th anniversary, we also reflect on two extraordinary decades of hope and healing,” said Dana Braner, M.D., FAAP, FCCM, physician-in-chief at OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, professor and chair of pediatrics in the OHSU School of Medicine, and Credit Unions for Kids chair. “Each year I am amazed by the strength of these kids, as well as the incredible generosity of our community. This program allows us to support families in need and provide specialized care unavailable anywhere else in the region, and we’re so grateful to everyone who makes this possible. Thank you for being a part of this incredible journey — and here’s to the next 20 years.”
Celebrating 20 years of Doernbecher Freestyle
To honor the Doernbecher Freestyle program and its immeasurable impact over the years, Nike specially designed a one-of-a-kind shoe for the Doernbecher Freestyle 20th anniversary. The exclusive 20th anniversary Air Jordan XX honors all 122 patient-designers, with each of their initials, as well as other “easter eggs” from the last 20 years of the program incorporated into the laser-printed iconography.
To learn more about the Doernbecher Freestyle program, visit the OHSU Foundation website.
Only 20 numbered pairs of the Air Jordan XX “Doernbecher Freestyle” will be auctioned, with all profits benefiting OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital. The online auction opens Friday, Oct. 21, at 9 a.m. PT and closes Oct. 30, at 9 a.m. PT.
Proceeds from Doernbecher Freestyle directly impact the lives of children and families in our community, ensuring OHSU Doernbecher can continue to improve kids’ health and well-being through nationally recognized clinical care, groundbreaking research, innovative education and crucial patient advocacy.