• Newsroom

Doernbecher Freestyle Empowers Kids Through Design

  • October 28, 2022
Download all assets
Download all assets

Nike believes in the power of sport to create change and a better world. The Doernbecher Freestyle program — which returns for an in-person auction on October 28 — reflects this belief through the unique partnership between NIKE, Inc. and Oregon Health and Sciences University (OHSU) Doernbecher Children’s Hospital.

Doernbecher Freestyle has raised nearly $31 million for the hospital since its inception in 2004. Each year, the program gives six OHSU Doernbecher patients the opportunity to create inspiring Nike footwear, apparel and equipment designs alongside a team of Nike Design employee volunteers. The patient-named collections are auctioned and sold to benefit the hospital as a signature fundraiser. 

During a nine-month process, the patients work with a team of Nike Design volunteers to reimagine their medical journeys on their product collections. Employees review patient questionnaires and evolve the designs through multiple rounds of color and material feedback –– all alongside their patient-designers. Together, they bring the incredible collections –– and each patient’s vision and story — to life. The final designs are revealed in a much-beloved auction night that brings attention to the partnership and to the design partners’ labor of love. 

In addition to sharing their personal stories, Doernbecher Freestyle provides the young patient-designers an opportunity to give back to the hospital and experience the joy of helping inspire other kids facing similar circumstances and health challenges. Nike Design employee volunteers count the chance to donate their time and expertise to the cause as a career highlight.

Among this year’s six Doernbecher Freestyle sneaker designs, you’ll find inspirations ranging from starry nights, fruit, investing, springtime, their heritage and their sunny dispositions.

The Doernbecher Freestyle XVIII collection will launch on SNKRS, the Nike App, Nike.com and at select retailers in early 2023.

Freestyle XVIII: Coley Miller

Freestyle Studio33092
Nike Doernbecher Freestyle Xviii Coley Shoe Hero 02
Nike Doernbecher Freestyle Xviii Coley Shoe Detail 05
Nike Doernbecher Freestyle Xviii Coley Shoe Detail 04
Nike Doernbecher Freestyle Xviii Coley Shoe Detail 03
Nike Doernbecher Freestyle Xviii Coley Group

Freestyle XVIII: Dario Villaseñor Valdivia

Freestyle Studio104511
Nike Doernbecher Freestyle Xviii Dario Shoe Hero 01
Nike Doernbecher Freestyle Xviii Dario Shoe Detail 04
Nike Doernbecher Freestyle Xviii Dario Shoe Detail 06
Nike Doernbecher Freestyle Xviii Dario Shoe Detail 02
Nike Doernbecher Freestyle Xviii Dario Shoe Detail 01
Nike Doernbecher Freestyle Xviii Dario Group

Freestyle XVIII: Emerson Harrell

Freestyle Studio34934
Nike Doernbecher Freestyle Xviii Emerson Shoe Hero 02
Nike Doernbecher Freestyle Xviii Emerson Shoe Detail 02
Nike Doernbecher Freestyle Xviii Emerson Shoe Detail 04
Nike Doernbecher Freestyle Xviii Emerson Shoe Detail 01
Nike Doernbecher Freestyle Xviii Emerson Shoe Detail 06
Nike Doernbecher Freestyle Xviii Emerson Group

Freestyle XVIII: Jaren Heacock

Freestyle Studio34005
Nike Doernbecher Freestyle Xviii Jaren Shoe Hero 02
Nike Doernbecher Freestyle Xviii Jaren Shoe Detail 05
Nike Doernbecher Freestyle Xviii Jaren Shoe Detail 02
Nike Doernbecher Freestyle Xviii Jaren Shoe Detail 04
Nike Doernbecher Freestyle Xviii Jaren Shoe Detail 06
Nike Doernbecher Freestyle Xviii Jaren Group

Freestyle XVIII: Riddhi Mahajan

Freestyle Studio104275 V2
Nike Doernbecher Freestyle Xviii Riddhi Shoe Hero 02
Nike Doernbecher Freestyle Xviii Riddhi Shoe Detail 06
Nike Doernbecher Freestyle Xviii Riddhi Shoe Detail 05
Nike Doernbecher Freestyle Xviii Riddhi Shoe Detail 01
Nike Doernbecher Freestyle Xviii Riddhi Shoe Detail 03
Nike Doernbecher Freestyle Xviii Riddhi Group

Freestyle XVIII: Kylee Young

Freestyle Studio103973 1
Nike Doernbecher Freestyle Xviii Kylee Shoe Hero 01
Nike Doernbecher Freestyle Xviii Kylee Shoe Detail 04
Nike Doernbecher Freestyle Xviii Kylee Shoe Detail 02
Nike Doernbecher Freestyle Xviii Kylee Shoe Detail 01
Nike Doernbecher Freestyle Xviii Kylee Shoe Detail 07
Nike Doernbecher Freestyle Xviii Kylee Group

Doernbecher Freestyle XVIII

Nike Doernbecher Freestyle Xviii Group V1
Nike Doernbecher Freestyle Xviii Group Insta
  • Stories
  • Impact
  • Company
  • Newsroom
  • Impact Resources
      • © 2024 NIKE, Inc. All Rights Reserved