As I delve into the inspiring stories of these young heroes, Sophia Jenkins and Quin Nims, I am left in awe of their resilience, courage, and indomitable spirit. Their experiences are a poignant reminder that life’s challenges do not define us, but rather, they shape us into stronger individuals.
For two decades now, Nike has collaborated with Oregon Health & Science University’s Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, allowing patients to design unique sneakers as part of a program. This initiative has amassed over $37 million USD and involved 122 patient-designers and 330 Nike volunteers. Tonight, the Doernbecher Freestyle XX Collection was revealed in its entirety, showcasing six young artists reinterpreting iconic Nike shoes. These designs will be auctioned off, with proceeds benefiting the OHSU Foundation to provide care for underserved families, fund unique treatments not available locally, and advance research that positively impacts children globally.
Each shoe embodies the personality and journey of these children and, for the first time, will come in a special custom, split-open box. In addition to the shoes, a special Nike Tech Fleece Hoodie incorporates elements from each shoe on its sleeves, with all six of the designers’ first names embroidered on the back. The Nike Doernbecher team is also celebrating the 20th anniversary of the program by auctioning off a limited run of Air Jordan 20 “Doernbecher” sneakers that have not yet been revealed but are said to sport a tapestry of laser graphics that commemorate the program. 20 numbered pairs will be made available at Sotheby’s, with all proceeds benefitting Doernbecher. Each auction winner will also receive a tee and Tech Fleece Bomber Jacket that features the special laser print.
The bidding process for the Air Jordan 20 “Doernbecher” commences on October 21st and concludes on October 30th at noon Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). The opening bid is set at $1 USD, with further details, including a possible sneak peek of the shoes, to be shared by Sotheby’s shortly. Meanwhile, the rest of the collection will be released worldwide through Nike SNKRS and selected retailers this winter season.
Nike Air 180 by Ja’Kai Taylor
9-year-old Ja’Kai Taylor, known for his vivacious personality, directs his energy into gaming, soccer, and creating TikTok videos about managing Type 1 diabetes. In collaboration with Nike volunteers, he personalized the Air 180 shoes in his favorite color, blue, complete with a gradient transitioning to green, symbolizing power-ups in video games. The shoe’s design reflects Ja’Kai’s exuberant spirit, with reflective lightning bolts representing the continuous glucose monitoring device on his arm. A “T1D” emblem at the tongue serves as inspiration for other children with Type 1 diabetes. Bubble Swooshes on each side symbolize his fondness for juice boxes, while the soccer-themed graphic on the heel displays his name and jersey number. The sneaker is completed with a glow-in-the-dark outsole that gains charge from light exposure.
Air Jordan 6 by Jillian Beagley
Jillian Beagley’s passionate appeal, stemming from her heart, is a poignant one. Born with a severe liver disease, she underwent a transplant at 11 years old. Now, at 14 and the victorious state basketball champion, Jillian has designed her unique version of the Air Jordan 6. Her vibrant design includes interchangeable patches celebrating her passions: soccer, lacrosse, cucumbers, her favorite tumbler, and of course, basketball. These patches can be attached to the shoe using a hook-and-loop system on the collar where the traditional puff has been replaced. Known for sporting mismatched Jordan colorways during games, Jillian’s AJ6 showcases this by featuring an alternating color scheme.
Nike Air Max DN by Connor Kassing Fernández
14-year-old artist Connor Kassing Fernández navigates life in small increments, having undergone surgery and chemotherapy for his brain tumor which left him unconscious for an extended period during treatment. He also faced temporary memory issues but, according to him during a private chat with TopMob, he’s making steady strides forward. During this conversation, Connor was joined by his cherished family and Joe Stagliano, one of Nike’s volunteer designers who collaborated with Connor. They spoke openly about his passion for creating while expressing deep appreciation for the support he’s received.
Working alongside Nike on the latest Air Max Dn project, Connor swiftly came up with 17 distinct color variations, aiming to create a commercially successful shoe. However, he finally settled on black and gold, drawing inspiration from his former school’s colors while also appreciating this color combination personally. To reflect his love for music, Connor shared a piano duet he composed with his sister during an early meeting, which inspired the designers to incorporate that melody into the shoe design. The right and left shoes symbolize the notes played by each hand, with Connor’s part on the right and his sister Tess’ part on the left. Personal messages penned by Connor are scattered across the sneaker, featuring words like sunrises, band, battle scars, and quesadillas. A pattern reminiscent of Zentangles, which he doodles for relaxation, covers much of the upper, signifying the unique cracks in everyone and celebrating them as beautiful strengths rather than weaknesses.
The phrase “Step by step” has been the guiding principle for Connor, encouraging him to focus on the present rather than future uncertainties. This motto pays tribute to his Spanish heritage, as it’s incorporated in both the glowing outsole and Air bubbles of the shoe. Upon closer inspection, you’ll notice signatures from Connor, his family, and the design team subtly etched onto the Air bags.
Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 41 by Tima Sviridenko
It’s rare that people are familiar with X-linked Lymphoproliferation Disease 1 (XLP1), but for Tima Sviridenko, it’s a battle he’s all too familiar with. This extremely uncommon immune system disorder required him to undergo a bone marrow transplant, which played a crucial role in his recovery. Grateful for this second chance at life, Tima dreams of visiting Cat Island (Aoshima, Japan) and designing his own robotic cat. He channeled this passion into collaborating with Nike, creating a feline-inspired colorway for the Air Zoom Pegasus 41. Murka, his beloved cat, is depicted on the lateral Swoosh, serving as a reminder to persevere. Murzik, his favorite stuffed cat, appears as a lace-hanging patch, while paw prints glow in the dark across the upper. Tima took things a step further by requesting designers to shape the outsole like a paw, allowing him to leave paw prints on dry land after stepping in water. His gratitude is evident in the tropical color scheme, which pays tribute to his bone marrow donor’s home in Florida. He also shows love to his donor, Dylan, by including his name next to his own at the aglets. The laces include additional touches: “MARCH 4TH” text marks the day of his bone marrow transplant, a day he and his family felt they could finally move forward, while another note is included at the laces as well.
Nike Sabrina 2 by Sophia Jenkins
In spite of losing part of her right leg due to Osteosarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer, Sophia Jenkins hasn’t allowed it to hinder her ambitions. At just nine years old, she aims to become a parasport athlete and has mastered an impressive one-legged backflip that she taught herself. As part of the Nike Doernbecher Freestyle program, Sophia designed a unique version of the Sabrina 2 shoe, which reflects aspects of her life that bring her comfort. Her favorite pickle toy is depicted at the lateral side, surrounded by hearts. The midsole features floral stickers she loves, while the glow-in-the-dark outsole showcases a cheerful smile. The lining replicates the texture of her pink fuzzy blanket that she’s had since infancy. Lastly, the shoe bears the “Sophia Strong” motto at the heel, echoing the design of t-shirts worn by her community during her cancer journey. Each pair also includes a DIY friendship bracelet kit, a craft she enjoys making for her loved ones.
Nike Air Max Sunder by Quin Nims
The motto of courageous 10-year-old Quin Nims is “Strong Yet Tiny.” Beyond her fearless wall climbing skills, Quin has faced numerous surgeries due to a rare issue with her bladder and digestive system. This indomitable spirit is evident in what she calls the “most joyful shoes I can imagine,” her unique interpretation of the Nike Air Max Sunder. The vibrant teal, orange, and purple color scheme reflects her favorite hues and the clothes she often wears, with a pattern representing bursts of happiness and strength, feelings she experienced post-bladder surgery. This energy flows through the bubbles on the sneaker, with speckled Air pockets symbolizing power. The mudguard is redesigned into a spiky shape with a dragon scale print, referencing her beloved movie character and the creature from a book she wrote about in school. The shoelaces sparkle, hidden beneath the sneaker’s concealed system. When unzipped, the sneaker reveals Quin’s name prominently. Embossed on the tongue is the reminder “Tiny but Strong,” encouraging spectators never to underestimate Quin.
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2024-10-19 05:56