Doernbecher Freestyle is a unique partnership between NIKE, Inc. and Oregon Health and Sciences University (OHSU) Doernbecher Children’s Hospital that began in 2004 and has raised more than $33 million for the hospital since its inception. The Doernbecher Freestyle XIX Collection was unveiled on October 27, 2023, and features six collections, highlighted by iconic footwear silhouettes and envisioned by Doernbecher patient designers: an Air Jordan III, a Nike Dunk High, a Nike Go FlyEase, a Nike ACG Mountain Fly 2 Low, a Nike Cortez and a Nike Air Max 1 ’86. Each year, the program allows six OHSU Doernbecher patients to create inspiring Nike footwear, apparel, and equipment designs that are auctioned and sold to benefit the hospital as a signature fundraiser.
Doernbecher Freestyle is a unique partnership between NIKE, Inc. and Oregon Health and Sciences University (OHSU) Doernbecher Children’s Hospital that began in 2004 and has raised more than $33 million for the hospital since its inception. Each year, the program allows six OHSU Doernbecher patients to create inspiring Nike footwear, apparel, and equipment designs that are auctioned and sold to benefit the hospital as a signature fundraiser. Created with a team of Nike product experts, who are each volunteering their time and expertise, each patient’s collection items are adorned with intricate details, hidden messages, and unexpected color palettes to represent their individual passions, life experiences, medical journeys, and relationships.
Doernbecher Freestyle is important to the culture of both Nike and OHSU Doernbecher, allowing doctors, nurses, hospital employees, sneaker and apparel designers and developers, and community members alike to come together to make a difference in the lives of Doernbecher Freestyle patient-designers, their families, and the hospital community. One hundred percent of the profits from retail sales of the Doernbecher Freestyle program are donated to the Oregon Health Sciences University Foundation (OHSUF), benefiting Doernbecher Children’s Hospital.
The Doernbecher Freestyle XIX Collection features six silhouettes from six amazing Doernbecher patient designers: an Air Jordan III, a Nike Dunk High, a Nike Go FlyEase, a Nike ACG Mountain Fly 2 Low, a Nike Cortez, and a Nike Air Max 1 ’86. The silhouettes will release in December.
Hugo Covarrubias Molina
Age: 14
Diagnosis: Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome
Shoe: Air Jordan 3 “Doernbecher XIX”
Style Code: FZ3030-919
Release Date: December 2023
Price: $210
Hugo “Juice” Covarrubias Molina was born with a rare disorder that causes one side of his body to grow larger than the other. He used to feel self-conscious about it, but Hugo has learned to embrace his uniqueness and designed a shoe that encourages others to do the same. His style is represented on the shoe with his nickname, “Juice” (“Jugo” in Spanish), and a cool drip design over the upper. On the outsole, you’ll find his words to live by: It’s OK to be different.
Macey Bodily
Age: 15
Diagnosis: Brain tumor, narcolepsy
Shoe: Nike Dunk High “Doernbecher XIX”
Style Code: FZ3026-919
Release Date: December 2023
Price: $125
She believed she could, so she did. That phrase guides Macey Bodily in everything she does, so she made sure to give it a place of honor on her flower-powered shoe. As for the grey ribbon on the upper, that’s to represent her status as a brain cancer survivor. This determined young lady loves baking and has a sweet surprise for you— inside her shoe, you’ll find the recipe to her world-famous chocolate chip cookies.
Hailey Leyva
Age: 8
Diagnosis: Congenital cyanotic heart disease
Shoe: Nike Air Max 1 ’86 “Doernbecher XIX”
Style Code: FZ3021-919
Release Date: December 2023
Price: $150
Hailey has had five surgeries to fix the valves of her heart, so she honored her medical journey with a special heart-inspired shoe. The logo on the tongue and sockliner is an exact replica of her one-of-a-kind heart, while shiny gold accents reflect her sparkly personality. Added bonus: Hailey turned some of her favorite things (like ice cream and rainbows) into mix-and-match charms that you can wear on the shoe or as a bracelet.
Sydney Little
Age: 14
Diagnosis: Juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Shoe: Nike Cortez “Doernbecher XIX”
Style Code: FZ3020-919
Release Date: December 2023
Price: $90
Sydney Little is a talented artist and competitive swimmer who refuses to let the pain from her arthritis slow her down. Her design is a walking masterpiece filled with her hand-drawn artwork and features interchangeable elements so you can wear it your way. Sydney hopes her vibrant shoe will brighten your day and has a bit of advice for anyone facing a challenge: “Keep swimming,” she says, “you’ll get through it.”
Christopher Musquiz Jr.
Age: 14
Diagnosis: Traumatic accident
Shoe: Nike Go FlyEase “Doernbecher XIX”
Style Code: FZ3028-919
Release Date: December 2023
Price: $130
Chris Musquiz Jr. was riding his bike to school one morning when he was struck by a car and critically injured. While he lost his leg in the accident, Chris never lost his courage or positivity. His shoe reflects his love of Japanese culture and features a kimono-inspired wrap design and a cool graphic of Mt. Fuji on the tongue. Be sure to check out the inside, where you’ll find a friendly panda hanging out with Chris on the beach.
Garrett Amerson
Age: 12
Diagnosis: Extreme prematurity
Shoe: Nike ACG Mountain Fly 2 Low “Doernbecher XIX”
Style Code: FZ3024-919
Release Date: December 2023
Price: $150
One pound, seven ounces: that’s how much Garrett Amerson weighed when he was born 15 weeks early. Twelve years later, that tiny, tenacious baby has grown into a thriving teen who loves science, plays chess and collects historic hats. Garrett’s shoe is an ode to the Pacific Northwest, with trees, mountains and a waterfall cascading down the tongue. He even added realistic mud splatters so you never have to worry about getting it dirty.
