Nike believes in the power of sport to create change and a better world. The Doernbecher Freestyle program — which returns for an in-person auction — reflects this belief through the unique partnership between NIKE, Inc. and Oregon Health and Sciences University (OHSU) Doernbecher Children’s Hospital.
Doernbecher Freestyle has raised nearly $31 million for the hospital since its inception in 2004. Each year, the program gives six OHSU Doernbecher patients the opportunity to create inspiring Nike footwear, apparel and equipment designs alongside a team of Nike Design employee volunteers. The patient-named collections are auctioned and sold to benefit the hospital as a signature fundraiser.
During a nine-month process, the patients work with a team of Nike Design volunteers to reimagine their medical journeys on their product collections. Employees review patient questionnaires and evolve the designs through multiple rounds of color and material feedback –– all alongside their patient-designers. Together, they bring the incredible collections –– and each patient’s vision and story — to life. The final designs are revealed in a much-beloved auction night that brings attention to the partnership and to the design partners’ labor of love.
In addition to sharing their personal stories, Doernbecher Freestyle provides the young patient-designers an opportunity to give back to the hospital and experience the joy of helping inspire other kids facing similar circumstances and health challenges. Nike Design employee volunteers count the chance to donate their time and expertise to the cause as a career highlight.
Among this year’s six Doernbecher Freestyle sneaker designs, you’ll find inspirations ranging from starry nights, fruit, investing, springtime, their heritage and their sunny dispositions.
Nike
Nike Inc. is an American multinational corporation that is engaged in the design, development, manufacturing, and worldwide marketing and sales of footwear, apparel, equipment, accessories, and services. The company is headquartered near Beaverton, Oregon, in the Portland metropolitan area.It is the world’s largest supplier of athletic shoes and apparel and a major manufacturer of sports equipment, with revenue in excess of US$37.4 billion in its fiscal year 2020. As of 2020, it employed 76,700 people worldwide.In 2020 the brand alone was valued in excess of $32 billion, making it the most valuable brand among sports businesses.Previously, in 2017, the Nike brand was valued at $29.6 billion.Nike ranked 89th in the 2018 Fortune 500 list of the largest United States corporations by total revenue.
Source: Nike
