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Nike is celebrating 22 years of Doernbecher Freestyle with six new sneakers designed by patients at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) Doernbecher Children’s Hospital. The latest collection brings together six first-time silhouettes for the program, giving each young designer a chance to tell their story through color, materials, and personal details.
Since launching in 2004, Doernbecher Freestyle has raised more than $44 million for the hospital. Each year, patients work alongside Nike employee volunteers to turn their interests, experiences, and medical journeys into one-of-a-kind footwear. All profits from the collection benefit the OHSU Foundation, supporting patient care, specialized treatments, and research.
This year’s lineup spans the Air Max 1/97, GT Future, Air Force 1 Mid, Air Jordan 11 Low IE, ACG Rufus, and Structure Plus. From motocross and rodeo to anime, cheerleading, and basketball, each design captures a different personality through custom graphics, unexpected materials, and hidden messages.
The Doernbecher Freestyle 22 collection was first offered through an auction in Portland on October 16, with a wider U.S. release expected in January 2027 via SNKRS, Shoe Palace, and other select retailers . Get a closer look at all six designs and the stories behind them below.
Owen’s Nike Air Max 1/97
Owen William Flint
Age: 11
Hometown: Creswell, OR
Diagnosis: Chronic kidney disease
Owen’s love for superheroes, baseball, and dirt biking comes together on his Air Max 1/97. Brushed leather and bold colors reference the superhero fandom he shares with his brother, while his baseball jersey number, 88, appears on the midsole. A spinning-wheel dubrae, biker keychain, and mud-splatter print at the toe bring his off-road hobbies into the design. The sneaker also reflects Owen’s journey after receiving a life-saving kidney transplant as a toddler.
Owen’s Nike Air Max 1/97
Style Code: IX8189-922
Release Date: January 2027
Price: $170 USD
Kamoryn’s Nike GT Future
Kamoryn Marshall
Age: 17
Hometown: Dallas, OR
Diagnosis: Hip osteoarthritis
An avid basketball player, Kamoryn brings his imagination and medical journey to the GT Future. Goldfish details reference the fish he imagined swimming out of the ceiling after anesthesia during his hip replacement surgery at age 12. A chrome Swoosh represents the titanium in his right hip, while hidden stitches pay tribute to his surgical scar. The outsole delivers a message that fits his competitive spirit: “If you see this, you’re too late.”
Kamoryn’s Nike GT Future
Release Date: January 2027
Royce’s Nike Air Force 1 Mid
Royce Short
Age: 12
Hometown: Irrigon, OR
Diagnosis: Tracheoesophageal fistula
Royce’s Air Force 1 Mid takes inspiration from his country upbringing and passion for fishing, dirt biking, and youth rodeo. Western details include rope laces, a belt-buckle closure, and a custom logo for the bucking bull company he hopes to start one day. A large bass appears on the outsole, while the interior cowboy print doubles as a world map marked with places Royce dreams of visiting. The design reflects the grit he brings to life while navigating a condition affecting the connection between his esophagus and airway.
Royce’s Nike Air Force 1 Mid
Style Code: IX8197-922
Release Date: January 2027
Price: $140 USD
Avery’s Air Jordan 11 Low IE
Avery Wilson
Age: 13
Hometown: Tualatin, OR
Diagnosis: Obsessive-compulsive disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
Avery’s whimsical Air Jordan 11 Low IE features a cast of characters drawn from her imagination, including Greg, a posh British alien. The word “neurospicy” appears on the upper as a playful reference to Avery’s OCD and the progress she has made with support from her care team. A license plate pin honors her beloved grandfather, Poppy, while the number 143 references the letter count in “I love you.”
Avery’s Air Jordan 11 Low IE
Style Code: IX8191-922
Release Date: January 2027
Price: $200 USD
Charlye’s Nike ACG Rufus
Charlye Cosgrove
Age: 15
Hometown: Vancouver, WA
Diagnosis: Osteosarcoma
Charlye’s ACG Rufus draws from her Pacific Northwest roots and a pair of pink camouflage shoes she wore as a baby. Fuzzy green accents evoke moss, while a stitched tag hides June 11, 2025, the day she rang the bell at Doernbecher Children’s Hospital after completing treatment for bone cancer. The design also features a UV-reactive upper that reveals a different color and hidden graphics when exposed to sunlight.
Charlye’s Nike ACG Rufus
Style Code: IX8187-922
Release Date: January 2027
Price: $120 USD
Aurora’s Nike Structure Plus
Aurora Loss
Age: 9
Hometown: Longview, WA
Diagnosis: Bilateral dysplastic kidneys
Aurora’s Structure Plus channels Japanese kawaii culture through fluffy pink fur, delicate cherry blossoms, and an anime-inspired character peeking out from the medial midsole. A detachable charm bracelet and removable hair bow add to the playful look, reflecting Aurora’s vibrant personality and her dream of opening the world’s first supercute “cutsie hotel.” Her story also carries a powerful meaning: Aurora received a life-saving kidney transplant at just five years old after being born with failing kidneys.
Aurora’s Nike Structure Plus “Doernbecher”
Style Code: IX8192-922
Release Date: January 2027
Price: $170 USD
