NIKE, Inc. and Oregon Health and Sciences University (OHSU) Doernbecher Children’s Hospital are back with the 19th installment of their annual Doernbecher Freestyle series.
Each year, the program gives six OHSU Doernbecher patients the chance to design their own Nike shoe, as well as apparel and equipment product that is auctioned and sold to benefit the hospital as a signature fundraiser. In total, this partnership has raised more than $33 million for the hospital since its inception in 2004.
Featuring a completely different lineup from last year’s collection, Doernbecher Freestyle XIX is highlighted by six iconic footwear silhouettes: the Air Jordan 3, Nike Dunk High, Nike Go FlyEase, Nike ACG Mountain Fly 2 Low, Nike Cortez, and Nike Air Max 1 ’86. Each patient-designer added their own intricate details, hidden messages and unexpected color palettes to represent their individual passions, life experiences, medical journeys, and relationships.
The Nike Doernbecher Freestyle XIX collection will be available for purchase starting December 2nd on SNKRS, Nike.com, and at select US-based retailers. All profits from retail sales will go to the Oregon Health Sciences University Foundation (OHSUF) benefiting Doernbecher Children’s Hospital. Learn more about each patient-designer and their creations below.
Hugo Covarrubias Molina
Age: 14
Diagnosis: Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome
Shoe: Air Jordan 3 (FZ3030-919)
Apparel 1: Jordan Flight Fleece Hoodie
Apparel 2: Jordan Flight Fleece Pant
Hugo “Juice” Covarrubias Molina was born with a rare disorder that causes one side of his body to grow larger than the other. He used to feel self-conscious about it, but Hugo has learned to embrace his uniqueness and designed a shoe that encourages others to do the same. His style is represented on the shoe with his nickname Juice (which is jugo in Spanish) – with the cool factor dripping over the upper. And because Hugo loves to bring the bling, his custom logo hangtag (which can be used as a pendant) is plated with 24-carat gold. On the outsole, you’ll find words to live by: It’s okay to be different.
Watch: Learn more about Hugo and his Air Jordan 3 here.
Macey Bodily
Age: 15
Diagnosis: Brain tumor, narcolepsy
Shoe: Nike Dunk High (FZ3026-919)
Apparel 1: Phoenix Fleece Hoodie
Equipment 1: Elemental Bag (Crossbody)
She believed she could, so she did. That phrase guides Macey Bodily in everything she does, so she made sure to give it a place of honor on her flower-powered shoe. As for the grey ribbon on the upper, that’s to represent her status as a brain cancer survivor. This determined young lady loves baking and has a sweet surprise for you—inside her shoe, you’ll find the recipe to her world-famous, chocolate chip cookies.
Watch: Learn more about Macey and her Nike Dunk High here.
Christopher Musquiz Jr.
Age: 14
Diagnosis: Traumatic accident
Shoe: Nike Go FlyEase (FZ3028-919)
Apparel 1: Game Jersey
Equipment 1: Nike Pro Cap
Chris Musquiz Jr. was riding his bike to school one morning when he was struck by a car and critically injured. While he lost his leg in the accident, Chris never lost his courage or positivity. His shoe reflects his love of Japanese culture and features a wave pattern akin to classic Japanese art, a kimono-inspired wrap design and a cool graphic of Mt. Fuji on the tongue. Be sure to check out the inside, where you’ll find a friendly panda hanging out with Chris on the beach, his favorite animal and happy place.
Watch: Learn more about Christopher and his Nike Go Flyease here.
Garrett Amerson
Age: 12
Diagnosis: Extreme prematurity
Shoe: Nike ACG Mountain Fly 2 Low (FZ3024-919)
Apparel 1: Windrunner
Equipment 1: Club Cap
One pound, seven ounces: that’s how much Garrett Amerson weighed when he was born 15 weeks early. Fourteen years later, that tiny, tenacious baby has grown into a thriving teen who loves science, plays chess and collects historic hats. Garrett’s shoe is an ode to the Pacific Northwest, with trees, mountains and a waterfall cascading down the tongue. He even added realistic mud splatters, so you never have to worry about getting it dirty.
Watch: Learn more about Garrett and his Nike ACG Mountain Fly 2 Low here.
Sydney Little
Age: 14
Diagnosis: Juvenile idiopathic arthritis
Shoe: Nike Cortez (FZ3020-919)
Apparel 1: Boxy T-Shirt
Apparel 2: Phoenix Fleece Pant
Sydney Little is a talented artist and competitive swimmer who refuses to let the pain from her arthritis slow her down. Her design is a walking masterpiece filled with her hand-drawn artwork and features interchangeable patches so you can wear it your way on the heel. For her favorite activity, you can find resin dots on the heel that mimics water droplets, along with glow-in-the-dark lines on the outsole that mirrors pool reflection ripples. Sydney hopes her vibrant shoe will brighten your day and has a bit of advice for anyone facing a challenge: “Keep swimming,” she smiled. “You’ll get through it.”
Watch: Learn more about Sydney and her Nike Cortez here.
Hailey Leyva
Age: 8
Diagnosis: Congenital cyanotic heart disease
Shoe: Nike Air Max 1 ’86 (FZ3021-919)
Apparel 1: Club Fleece Hoodie
Accessory 1: Hayward Backpack
Hailey has had five surgeries to fix the valves of her heart, so she decided to honor her medical journey with a special heart-inspired shoe. The logo on the tongue and sockliner is a drawn replica of her one-of-a-kind heart, while shiny gold accents reflect her sparkly personality. Added bonus: Hailey turned some of her favorite things (like ice cream and rainbows) into mix-and-match charms that you can wear on the shoe or as a bracelet.
Watch: Learn more about Hailey and her Nike Air Max 1 ’86 here.
