Nike Officially Unveil the 2019 Doernbecher Collection

Nike has officially unveiled its Doernbecher Collection for 2019, which includes specially-designed pairs of the Air Force 1 Low, Air Jordan 14, React Element 55, SB Zoom Janoski, Nike Air Max Triax 96 and the Nike Zoom Pegasus Turbo 2.

Since 2004, Nike and OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital join together to give young patients the ultimate opportunity: design a Nike shoe from the ground up. The program has raised nearly $24 million dollars for Doernbecher, the profits benefiting the hospital. Here are the kids who powered this year’s designs:

Nike Air Force 1 by Zion Thompson

Style Code: CV2591-100
Color: White/Stone Mauve-Black

For Zion Thompson’s custom shoe, she decided to go with embossed white leather for a clean, classic look that captures her personal style. The embroidered roses across the Swoosh are a nod to her cancer treatment; as Zion points out, “When you’re starting treatment, you feel pretty small—like a closed rosebud. But your bravery helps you bloom and in the end, you grow beautiful and strong.”

Zion is still in the midst of her treatment journey, which she signifies with the word “survivor” printed on the shoe’s sockliner and outsole. It’s a word of great significance to Zion. “Survivor is the word that feels the most empowering, because it reminds me that I’ll get through this,” she says. “I want to inspire all the other kids out there who are survivors too.”

Air Jordan 14 by Ethan Ellis

Style Code: CV2469-001
Color: Black/Court Purple-Multi-Color-White
Price: $200

Good luck keeping up with Ethan Ellis. This athletic, mile-a-minute guy is passionate about basketball and dreams of playing professionally one day. Ethan’s design is a tribute to both the game he loves and the people and places that were a part of his health journey.

The reptilian accents are a nod to his favorite team, the TCU Horned Frogs. The number 6 represents his heart surgeries, while the laces feature the hospitals where he received care. On the tongue, you’ll find the name of his pal and fellow patient, “Lil’ Rey.”

Nike React Element 55 by Kahleah Corona

Style Code: CV2592-600
Color: Sunblush/Wolf Grey-University Red-Bright Grape

Kahleah Corona is a source of light and inspiration to everyone who knows her. On her React Element 55s, a riot of bright colors and glittery materials come together in a reflection of her sparkly personality. The shoe also features her favorite emojis, a green ribbon to symbolize traumatic brain injury, and the initials of all her family members (a rattle represents her new baby sister).

As for the phrase “K-Strong”, it became the family’s rallying cry after the accident. “In the PICU, they didn’t think Kahleah was going to make it,” explains her mom, Irma. “That’s when I decided that the entire family had to be ‘K-strong’ to help Kahleah get strong, too.”

Nike SB Zoom Janoski RM by Desiree Castillo

Style Code: CV2365-400
Color: Blue Gaze/Deep Royal Blue-Space Purple-Metallic Silver

During her stay at Doernbecher, doctors connected Desiree Castillo with resources and mental health support to help her deal with the emotional aspects of her chronic illnesses. “Basically, they taught me that my life is worth fighting for,” she says.

The thoughtful, empathetic Desiree’s velvety shoe was a labor of love, and she went through over 100 colored pencils until she found the perfect palette. The midsole is circled with the names of family members, while the back features the name of her beloved therapy cat, Charlie. A blood droplet graphic on the outsole represents all the finger pokes she does to monitor her blood sugar—and on the sockliner you’ll find lyrics from her favorite band.

Nike Air Max Triax 96 by Bransen Fernando

Style Code: CV6351-100
Color: White/Game Royal-Team Orange-Black

When life throws Bransen “Boom” Fernando a challenge, this kid comes out swinging. Diagnosed with bilateral kidney cancer at just seven months old, Bransen became the recipient of a brand new one recently—thanks to his dad’s cross-training coach. His shoe features a kidney print on the sockliner, the date of his transplant, and a donkey for his favorite dialysis nurse.

Flip the shoe over and you’ll find Bransen’s nickname “Boom” in bold letters, along with a bumblebee to represent the “Bs” in his family—his siblings Benjamin and Brielle. Even his dogs, Bonnie and Bosco, are featured as a paw-print surrounded by a heart.

Nike Zoom Pegasus Turbo 2 by Sawyer Miller

Style Code: CV8077-300
Color: Lucky Green/White-Black

Sawyer Miller’s treatment required a long stay at Doernbecher, which meant missing time with his friends, family and classmates. So to support him from afar, they came up with a surprise: every Friday, kids and teachers at his elementary school wore a special green “Team Sawyer” tee featuring his favorite animal; a panda bear.

That gesture of solidarity served as the inspiration for Sawyer’s shoe, which features the same “Team Sawyer” logo and a friendly panda munching on a Nike swoosh. A blue pawprint on the bottom sole represents his dog Izzy, and on the tongue tab you’ll find the names of members from his medical team. “Dr. Selden is my hero,” he says.

The Doernbecher Freestyle 2019 Collection will be available on Nike.comand at select Nike retail and partner stores on December 7th. For updates on store lists and raffles, be sure to keep your eyes locked on our dedicated Nike Release Dates Calendar.