A Closer Look at This Year's Nike Doernbecher Freestyle Collection

Nike and Oregon Health and Sciences University Doernbecher Children’s Hospital have a long-standing partnership that spans decades. The Doernbecher Freestyle initiative – an annual fundraising project started by the two entities – has been going strong since its inception in 2004. It has raised nearly $31 million for Doernbecher Children’s Hospital since then. 

The program allows six Doernbecher Children’s Hospital patients to show the world their creativity. Each patient is paired with Nike Design employees and volunteers to bring each child’s footwear, apparel, and equipment designs to life. The design process spans nine months, and in that time, Nike employees work with the patient-designers on color combinations, materials, and messaging for their collections. The finished collections are then auctioned and sold, with all sales benefitting the Doernbecher Children’s Hospital.

This year’s Nike Doernbecher Freestyle Collection sees personalized takes on familiar models, including the Air Jordan 1 Low OG, designed by Riddhi Mahajan, the Air Max 90, designed by Emerson Harrell, the Air Foamposite One, designed by Coley Miller, the Air Huarache, designed by Dario Villaseñor Valdivia, the Air Presto, designed by Kylee Young, and the Zoom Vomero 5, designed by Jaren Heacock.

Each Nike Doernbecher Freestyle Collection sneaker allows the wearer to learn a little about the designer through the vibrant colors, printed phrases, playful graphics, and unique materials used on each release.

The Nike Doernbecher Freestyle Collection will be available in-store at DTLR on February 25^th.

Freestyle XVIII: Coley Miller

Freestyle XVIII: Dario Villaseñor Valdivia