For over two decades, Nike and the Doernbecher Children’s Hospital have partnered to earn over $30 million for the hospital by auctioning off sneakers created by former patients. Since 2004, the Doernbecher Freestyle initiative has given over 100 young kids fighting diseases the opportunity to create their own Nike and Jordan Brand sneakers. After being postponed last year due to COVID-19, Nike and the Doernbecher Children’s Hospital have finally showcased the seven sneakers created by past patients that went up for sale and were released on SNKRS in time for spring. 

This series, like the previous Doernbecher Freestyle editions, included a hand-picked group of OHSU (Oregon Health and Science University Hospital) pediatric patients, each paired with their own Nike design team to assist guide them through the process. Since 2004, over 100 youngsters have had the opportunity to create their own Nike sneakers as part of this powerful experience.

As a consequence, seven separate sneakers, including the Air Jordan 5 Low, LeBron 19, and Dunk Low, have been created, each with distinctive characteristics dear to each of the seven designers. In particular, patients Ayman Wamala, Catalina Vasquez, Cidni O’Brien, Maylee Phelps, Michael Wilson, Sam David Phelps, and Zoe Taaffe developed the current collection, which contains seven Nike footwear as well as clothes and equipment.