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Nike and Doernbecher Children’s Hospital Collaborate to Empower Kids Through Design

Young Patients Design Six New Shoes to Raise Funds for Premier Children’s Hospital

Nike and Doernbecher Children’s Hospital Collaborate to Empower Kids Through Design

Young Patients Design Six New Shoes to Raise Funds for Premier Children’s Hospital

Published 11-12-09

Submitted by Nike Inc.

Nike and OHSU Doernbecher Children's Hospital are uniting for the sixth year to create the Doernbecher Freestyle footwear collection, which pairs young patients with Nike designers to raise money for Oregon's premier children's hospital. The young Doernbecher patients work alongside Nike designers to create footwear that expresses their personal stories, while raising awareness and funds for the hospital. To date the program has raised more than $2 million dollars. All profits from the collection benefit Doernbecher by supporting advanced pediatric research, providing healthcare to uninsured patients, funding the purchase of state-of-the-art medical equipment, and training the next generation of pediatric specialists.

"We are proud to support this one-of-a-kind project," said Elliott Hill, Vice President of Global Retail for NIKE, Inc. "Doernbecher Freestyle is about empowerment through design, bringing together bright young patients and some of our most talented Nike designers to give back to Doernbecher Children's Hospital."

The young designers range in age from 11 to 14 and all have courageously battled serious illness at Doernbecher. Through the Doernbecher Freestyle Project each child is given the unique opportunity to design a pair of Nike's and is granted complete artistic freedom as he or she works alongside a Nike designer through the entire design process -- from selecting a shoe style to choosing materials, colors, patterns and other individual details.

"We are so grateful for Nike's continued vision and generosity. In the six years of the Freestyle program, the company's hard work has translated into more than $2 million for Doernbecher," said Sue Nicol, Executive Director of the Doernbecher Foundation. "Apart from the significant financial impact, Nike is providing a priceless experience for some really brave kids. Their moment in the spotlight as a Nike shoe designer is one they'll never forget."

The Doernbecher Freestyle collection will be available for purchase at Niketown stores, nike.com, and at select Nike retailers beginning November 14, 2009. This year's collection features popular basketball, running and skateboarding styles, including a retro Nike Air Jordan VI.

The 2009 Doernbecher Freestyle Design Team and Footwear Collection:


  • Bradley Bowlby, 11, (Stevenson, Washington): Nike Air Force I Low
    Bradley's desire to get dirty in style is reflected with a custom camouflage design featured on the outsole and upper.

  • Collin Callsen, 11, (Stayton, Oregon): Nike P-ROD 3 Skate Shoe
    Collin's playful attitude comes through with a personalized logo at the bottom of the shoe's tongue and fun graphics on the upper inspired by his love of hunting, dirt bikes, skulls and playing pool.

  • Jordan Dark, 12, (Mt. Angel, Oregon): Nike Air Jordan VI Retro
    Jordan's creativity comes to life in this shoe that takes inspiration from the Jordan 12, 5, 9 and 6, a play on his birth date of 12-5-1996.

  • Anna Finley, 11, (Salem, Oregon): Nike Air Max Zenyth
    Anna's vivid imagination and love of color is highlighted in this multi-colored shoe with hand-drawn balloons, animals, trees, hearts and music notes.

  • Makayla Hansen, 12, (Elgin, Oregon): Nike Skinny Dunk High
    Makayla's love for playing basketball and riding her bike is clear with a multi-colored basketball design on the upper and five bikes waiting to be discovered under the ankle support straps.

  • Molly Anne Modeste Martin, 14, (Lake Oswego, Oregon): Nike Shox NZ
    Molly's colorful Nike Shox design incorporates symbols of her life's passions and beliefs-a silhouette of herself running track, a basketball hidden under the top eyelet, a music note, and "Just Do It" embroidered on the back of one heel and "Together" on the other.

To find the location of your nearest Nike retailer or purchase the Doernbecher Freestyle Collection directly, visit www.nike.com. Suggested Retail prices start from $88.

For more information and imagery, visit www.nikemedia.com.

About Nike
NIKE, Inc. based near Beaverton, Oregon, is the world's leading designer, marketer and distributor of authentic athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories for a wide variety of sports and fitness activities. Wholly-owned Nike subsidiaries include Cole Haan, which designs, markets and distributes luxury shoes, handbags, accessories and coats; Converse Inc., which designs, markets and distributes athletic footwear, apparel and accessories; Hurley International LLC, which designs, markets and distributes action sports and youth lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories; and Umbro Ltd., a leading United Kingdom-based global football (soccer) brand. For more information, visit www.nikebiz.com

About the Doernbecher Children's Hospital and the Doernbecher Foundation
Doernbecher Children's Hospital is Oregon and southwest Washington's premier pediatric health center, providing the region's widest range of children's health care services and serving as the primary center for pediatric research and specialist education programs at Oregon Health & Science University. As part of Oregon's only academic health center, Doernbecher offers patients exceptional primary care and access to the region's most advanced treatments. The Doernbecher Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization that exists to secure private philanthropic support for the hospital. The foundation raises funds from individuals, companies, foundations and organizations, and invests and manages gifts in accordance with donors' wishes.

Nike Inc. logo

Nike Inc.

Nike Inc.

NIKE, Inc. based near Beaverton, Oregon, is the world's leading designer, marketer and distributor of authentic athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories for a wide variety of sports and fitness activities. Wholly-owned NIKE subsidiaries include Converse Inc., which designs, markets and distributes athletic lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories and Hurley International LLC, which designs, markets and distributes surf and youth lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories. For more information, visit www.nikeinc.com.

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