Nike’s latest collection may be designed by the brand’s youngest partners yet. In tandem with the OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, the Swoosh has launched its 18th annual Doernbecher Freestyle program, a charity-driven project that teams designers at Nike with young patients who are undergoing recovery at the institution. Swoosh-branded footwear and apparel mirrors patients’ favorite objects and hobbies, with profits from the collection benefitting the OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital.
The Doernbecher Freestyle event has taken place for nearly two decades, engaging more than 100 young patient-designers and 236 Nike designers and developers across footwear, apparel and equipment, who volunteer their time, effort, passion and talent to this cause. The program has raised more than $30 million for the OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, making it one of Nike’s most successful charity projects. Last year’s Doernbecher Freestyle event brought forward 17 exclusive “What The” Air Jordan 1 sneakers made up of past patient designs. The first AJ1 sold from the collection raised over $2 million, with 100 percent of the proceeds benefiting the hospital.
