to his favorite soccer team
Nike and OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital: 20 Years of Sneaker Design by Patients
It’s been two decades since Nike and OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital joined forces to create a unique collection of sneakers designed by patients. This collaboration has raised an impressive $37 million USD and has involved 122 patient-designers and 330 Nike volunteers. The Doernbecher Freestyle XX Collection was recently unveiled, showcasing the creativity of six young designers and their reimagining of classic Nike sneakers. These one-of-a-kind kicks will be auctioned and sold, with all profits going towards the OHSU Foundation to support families in need, specialized treatment, and groundbreaking research for children worldwide.
The Personal Touch: Each Shoe Tells a Story
Each shoe in the collection is a reflection of the personality and journey of the child who designed it. For the first time, the shoes will come in a special custom, split-open box. In addition, a Nike Tech Fleece Hoodie will feature elements from each shoe on its sleeves, with the designers’ names embroidered on the back. To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the program, a limited run of Air Jordan 20 “Doernbecher” sneakers will be auctioned off. These exclusive shoes feature a tapestry of laser graphics that pay tribute to the program. Only 20 numbered pairs will be available at Sotheby’s, with all proceeds going to Doernbecher.
Bid for a Good Cause: Air Jordan 20 “Doernbecher” Auction
The online auction for the Air Jordan 20 “Doernbecher” will open on October 21 and close on October 30 at 12pm EDT. Bidding starts at just $1 USD, and more information will be available on Sotheby’s website. The rest of the collection will be released globally through Nike SNKRS and select retailers this winter.
Meet the Designers: Ja’Kai Taylor and the Nike Air 180
Nine-year-old Ja’Kai Taylor is a lively and outgoing kid who loves gaming, soccer, and making TikToks about living with Type 1 diabetes. For his design, Ja’Kai worked with Nike volunteers to create a blue Air 180 with a gradient that transitions to green, inspired by power-ups in video games. Reflective lightning bolts represent the electronic glucose monitoring device on his arm, and the “T1D” hit on the tongue is a message of hope for other children with Type 1 diabetes. Bubble Swooshes and a nod to his favorite soccer team complete the design.
