2013 has marked the 10th anniversary for the beloved Nike x OHSU Doernbecher Freestyle Collection which marked a re-release for some of the past releases. After the re-release of these sneakers Nike and Jordan Brand released a special OHSU Doernbecher V that was separate from the 2013 Freestyle Collection that was just announced yesterday. Take a look below as Nike has took to their official site to drop a press release with plenty of pics and background information for each shoe.
Nike and Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) Doernbecher Children’s Hospital in Portland, Ore. are proud to celebrate the 10th year of the Doernbecher Freestyle Program, a unique collaboration that has empowered 58 young patients through design and raised more than $6 million for the hospital to help expand pioneering research, support clinical care, purchase state-of-the-art equipment, recruit new experts and help cover the cost of care for families most in need.
“It is always a highlight of the year in our world to see the newest Freestyle collection and meet the inspiring kids and talented Nike designers who create it,” says H. Stacy Nicholson, M.D., M.P.H., Professor and Chair Department of Pediatrics, Physician-in-chief, OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital. “We are grateful to Nike for putting resources, talent, and heart into the project for so many years – all for the benefit of kids.”
The partnership between Nike and OHSU Doernbecher began in 2004, inspired by a conversation that Nike Global Creative Presentation Director Michael Doherty, who serves on the Board of Directors of the Doernbecher Foundation, had with his son about a way to raise awareness and funds for the hospital. The idea became for patients to design one-of-a-kind shoes, with proceeds to benefit the hospital.
Beginning that first year and every year since, the Doernbecher Freestyle Project has brought together a group of OHSU Doernbecher patients with Nike designers and developers to create shoes that are truly unique to each patient. It’s a collaboration, but with the patients at the center of the design process—deciding the colors, materials and details for each shoe to reflect their individual personalities and life experiences.
The 2013 Doernbecher Freestyle Collection will include apparel and footwear. The Limited Edition Doernbecher Collection will be sold at www.nike.com and at Nike retail locations across the country November 9th, with all proceeds from sales of the collection benefitting OHSU Doernbecher.
In honor of the 10th anniversary, Nike Global Product Creative Director and long-time Doernbecher Freestyle designer Mark Smith also created the Nike Dunk High 10th Anniversary Collection, celebrating all of the patients involved with the program over the last 10 years by featuring their names and glow-in-the-dark elements to symbolize their strength and spirit. Two sets of the collection will be auctioned off at special events in Portland and New York City to benefit the hospital.
