The world will never run out of Nike pairs. The top fashion brand releases new collections almost every week we can’t actually keep up with everything that is new. From retro designs being released again to new colorways to new collaborations, here is one sneakers collection that is released for a special cause.
The Nike Doernbecher Freestyle 2019 is a collection that started in 2004. Nike teamed up with OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital to allow young patients to design a Nike shoe. Since the series launch, over $27 million dollars have been raised for the benefit of the hospital.
Children Get Creative with Nike Shoes
The Nike Doernbecher program has given patients opportunities to be creative each year. They can design shoes that Nike will bring into production. The latest Doernbecher Freestyle 2019 Collection has been finalized and is under production. The release date will be December 7 on nike.com, Nike retail, and partner stores on December 7.
The Doernbecher Freestyle series gets more diverse as most iconic sneakers are being reimagined. Six sneakers are part of the collection: Nike Air Force 1, Air Max Triax 96, Zoom Pegasus Turbo 2, React Element 55, Air Jordan 14 Retro, and NIKE Zoom Janoski.
Every Pair from Every Patient for Every Patient
Each pair has been designed by Doernbecher patients. Let’s start with the Nike SB Zoom Janoski RM designed by Desiree Castillo. The 12-yeard old who has been diagnosed by type I diabetes and celiac disease has added blue shades and a new colorway.
The 2019 Doernbecher Freestyle pair by Desiree Castillo features a midsole where the names of the designer’s family members are written. Under the soles are printed red droplets that symbolize the times she needed to be finger-poked to monitor blood sugar.
A stylized Nike Reach Element 55 was designed by 11-year old Kahleah Corona who suffered a car crash. The accident left multiple skull/facial fractures. She always gives back to the hospital by sharing her time and talents in singing, baking, or arts and crafts. Her shoe design features bright colors and glittery materials. An emoji can be found on the React midsole. The green ribbon symbolizes traumatic brain injury.
From 16-year old Ethan Ellis comes this Nike Air Jordan X1V Retro styled with his favorite college team colors (TCU Horned Frogs). The number 6 on the heel is the number of heart surgeries he had while the laces feature the hospitals where he has received previous care. The space needle shows the city where he got his heart transplant this year.
Zion Thompson aka The Fighter designed a Nike Air Force 1LV8 with very simple additions. The white leather is embroidered with roses across the Swoosh, symbolizing her cancer treatment. On the sockliner and outsole, you will see the word ‘Survivor’.
The Nike Zoom Pegasus Turbo 2 by brain cancer survivor Sawyer Miller. Green is his trademark while the panda bear is his favorite animal. On the outsole is a blue paw print the symbolizes his dog named Izzy. On the tongue, Sawyer wrote the names of his doctor and the rest of the medical team.
The last design is from Bransen Fernando who made his Nike Air Max Triax 96 look cool with a kidney print on the sock liner representing his new one. On the tongue, the date of the transplant is written. The dinkey is his nurse’s favorite animal. The ‘Boom’ on the outsole is his nickname. The Bumblebee represents his family members whose names start with ‘B’.