Nike Share the 2023 Doernbecher Freestyle XIX Collection
News on this release was originally published on October 30, 2023.
Update November 20, 2023: This year's Doernbecher collection hasn't disappointed, with many especially keen to cop the AJ3. We've now got a release date for the full collection, which will be December 2. They'll be available for purchase from Nike and select retailers for between $125-$150, and 100 per cent of the profit is donated to the Oregon Health Sciences University Foundation (OHSUF), which benefits Doernbecher Children's Hospital. Hit the links below to purchase.
partnership with Portland’s has been active for almost two decades. This annual collaborative effort gives six children who are patients of the hospital the chance to create a swathe of personal Nike products, helped by a team of Nike product experts that have donated their time. The collection is then auctioned and later sold, with all profit going to benefit the hospital. Since their 2004 inception, Nike have raised over $33 million for the hospital.
For the 2023 collection, Doernbecher designers chose the , , , , and . Each silhouette has been injected with the personal experiences of each designer.
Garrett Amerson – Nike ACG Mountain Fly 2 Low
Garrett Amerson, now 12, was diagnosed with extreme prematurity after being born 15 weeks early. Nowadays, Emerson is a ‘thriving teen’ who loves science, chess and is an avid collector of historic hats. His ACG shoe is an ode to the USA’s Pacific Northwest, kitted with realistic mud splatters, tree graphics and purple butterfly branding.
Macey Bodily – Nike Dunk High
Macey Bodily has survived brain cancer, with the motto ‘She believed she could, so she did’ serving as an inspirational phrase that guides her. She's plastered her signature motto along the midsole, and her hand-drawn flower graphic covers the overlays in blue, pink and purple. There’s a grey ribbon placed on the lateral heel, proudly representing her status as a survivor. Showing Bodily’s love of baking is a chocolate chip cookie on the front of the tongue, and you’ll find her recipe on the inside!
Hailey Leyva – Nike Air Max 1 ’86
Throughout her 8 years, Hailey Leyva has undergone five surgeries to repair the valves of her heart. As an ode to her medical journey, Leyva has designed a special Air Max 1. She has a unique heart, so she has added an anatomical logo on the AM1's tongue that is drawn by her doctor to explain the surgical process. Golden details and sparkly additions have been scattered throughout reflecting her bubbly personality. Rounding it out is a bracelet featuring all of Leyva’s favourite things.
Sydney Little – Nike Cortez
Despite being diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis, 14-year-old Sydney Little hasn’t let that slow her down, as she is a competitive swimmer and artist. Choosing the Nike Cortez, the upper features hand-drawn artwork from Little, with interchangeable patches so you can choose how you want to wear this vibrant iteration.
Hugo Covarrubias Molina - Air Jordan 3
Hugo Covarrubias Molina, aka Juice, was born with Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome – a rare disorder that causes one side of the body to grow larger than the other. Juice has gone on to embrace how unique he is and designed his Air Jordan 3 hoping to encourage everyone else to do the same. Along the outsole you’ll find the quote that he lives by: 'It’s ok to be different'. He’s also used his nickname to inspire the drip design along the upper.
Christopher Musquiz Jr. – Nike Go FlyEase
Christopher Musquiz Jr. tragically lost his leg when he was hit by a car while riding his bike to school. Despite losing one of his limbs, Marquis Jr. hasn’t lost his courage or positivity. With a love for Japanese culture, he’s designed a Go FlyEase with elements from Nippon. This sneaker boasts all-over graphics, including a Mt. Fuji design and a full Kimono wrap that ensconces the upper. Rounding out the design is a specialised image of Musquiz Jr. hanging out with a Panda.
Nike will release the Doernbecher Freestyle XIX Collection in December 2023, and 100 per cent of the profit is donated to the Oregon Health Sciences University Foundation (OHSUF), which benefits Doernbecher Children's Hospital.