On the night of October 28th, Nike and the OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital unveiled the Nike Doernbecher Freestyle XIV, a collection of six colorful and story-filled sneakers designed by six select patients of the hospital. Each piece of footwear, which doubles as a visual storyboard of each young patient’s life story, was created to raise awareness of their respective diagnoses and raise funds for the OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital and its core mission to brighten the lives of countless kids living with unfortunate circumstances of health. Since 2003, Nike has tapped 85 different creative minds and has since raised over $17 million for the hospital, and this year’s selection of six shoes aims to add to that number.
The entire Nike Doernbecher Freestyle XIV Collection releases on November 18th; this includes the Air Jordan 12 Doernbecher, Nike Air More Uptempo Doernbecher, Nike Vapormax Doernbecher, Nike SB Stefan Janoski Doernbecher, Nike Air Huarache Run Ultra Doernbecher, and Nike Air Max Thea Flyknit Doernbecher. See below for a full detailed look.
Nike Doernbecher Freestyle XIV
Release Date: November 18th, 2017
CARISSA NAVARRO, 9 / SPRINGFIELD, OREGON / AIR JORDAN 12 RETRO
Her twin sister’s name, Savannah, is on the heel tab of the left shoe (Navarro was born without kidneys and her sister kept her alive in the womb until she could begin dialysis). “She’s the best sister ever!” she says.
ANDREW MERYDITH, 15 / SPRINGFIELD, OREGON / Nike Vapormax Flyknit
Merydith’s shoes coordinate perfectly with his favorite green and purple BMX jersey.
BRODY MILLER, 11 / PORTLAND, OREGON / Nike Air More Uptempo
Miller’s rare brain condition is a villain he battles every day. To help him in the fight, the aspiring comic book artist created Generator Man, an alter ego who shoots healing energy out of his hands.
AMYIAH ROBINSON, 11 / PORTLAND, OREGON / NIKE AIR MAX THEA ULTRA FLYKNIT
Robinson’s colorful design includes a state map of Oklahoma (where she’s from) on the insole of one shoe and a map of Oregon on the other to symbolize the importance of staying true to her roots.
BRAYDEN SPARKMAN, 13 / SALEM, OREGON / NIKE AIR HUARACHE RUN ULTRA
The prominent display of orange is a nod to Sparkman’s favorite baseball and football teams.
Tyler Hibbard, 15 / Eugene, Oregon / Nike SB Stefan Janoski
Because he thinks every fisherman needs a good fishing shoe, Hibbard designed his shoe with nautical details. A school of trophy fish swims against a deep blue background.