Nike has again partnered with OHSU (Oregon Health & Science University) to support the school’s 13th annual Doernbecher Freestyle program.

The Doernbecher Freestyle program gives patients the opportunity to make their mark designing one-of-a-kind Nike footwear and apparel collections to support the hospital that changed their lives.

“For 13 years, Doernbecher Freestyle has served as a source of inspiration for every child that has experienced a severe medical challenge,” said Dana Braner, M.D., F.A.A.P., F.C.C.M., physician-in-chief, OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, and professor and interim chair, Department of Pediatrics, OHSU School of Medicine. “All children have the potential to achieve their dreams, and Doernbecher Freestyle unleashes this potential, providing a preview of amazing things to come. We are proud of this remarkable relationship with Nike, and the opportunity to unveil the unstoppable superstar that we believe exists in every child.”

Each year, hospital physicians, nurses and staff nominate patients from around Oregon and Southwest Washington to design limited-edition footwear and apparel. The selected designers travel to Nike World Headquarters where they meet a dedicated world-class Nike design and development team, brainstorm ideas and begin sketching their creations. The kids use their designs to express powerful personal messages — sometimes serious, sometimes whimsical — about their lives, their experiences and their hopes for the future.

Their designs will be unveiled at the annual Doernbecher Freestyle auction taking place in Portland, Oregon on Oct. 28, 2016, before they are made available at nike.com and at select North America retail locations in November.

Since its inception in 2003, the Doernbecher Freestyle program has engaged 76 OHSU Doernbecher patients, deeply involving their families and engaging Nike employees. All proceeds from this once-in-a-lifetime experience for the kids support OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital. To-date, the program has raised $14 million to expand pioneering research, support clinical care, purchase state-of-the-art equipment, recruit new experts and help cover the cost of care for families in need.

Doernbecher Freestyle was conceived by Michael Doherty, Senior Creative Director of Nike Global Brand Presentations and longtime board member of the Doernbecher Children’s Hospital Foundation, after his son suggested Nike create custom shoes to honor patients.

OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital announced the patient-designers for the 13th annual Doernbecher Freestyle program:

  •     Corwin Carr, 11, Hood River, Oregon
  •     Andy Grass, 11, Beaverton, Oregon
  •     Chehayla Hyatt, 10, Salem, Oregon
  •     Damien Phillips, 10, Terrebonne, Oregon
  •     Braylin Soon, 10, Portland, Oregon
  •     Chase Swearingen, 14, Jewell, Oregon

More details on the patient-designers and the program is here.