Doernbecher Freestyle presents the heroic journeys of six patient-designers in 2025
The Doernbecher Freestyle program is returning for its 21st year with six new patient-designers whose health care journeys and unique designs embody this year’s theme of the “heart of a hero.”
A longstanding partnership between Nike and OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, the Doernbecher Freestyle program is an opportunity for young patients to collaborate with Nike design teams to create their own limited-edition footwear collection, inspired by their own personal health care story — with all profits benefiting the hospital. The complete collection will be unveiled at the annual auction event Friday, Oct. 17, at the Portland Art Museum.
For more than 21 years, Freestyle has given more than 128 young patient-designers the chance to showcase their creativity and inspiring stories, as well as to engage hundreds of Nike employee-volunteers and thousands of generous donors and community members.
The limited edition and highly sought-after collections are auctioned and sold to help raise a 21-year total of more than $40 million for the children’s hospital. Nike also donates 100% of the retail profits from the sale of the collections to Doernbecher. These funds help cover the cost of care for families in need, expand pioneering research that benefits kids around the world, and support specialized care unavailable anywhere else in the region.
"Freestyle celebrates the clear fact that all of our children are superstars. On this night, we get to meet six children who share their stories with us in the form of amazing shoes that they themselves design to memorialize their journeys through life,” said Dana Braner, M.D., FAAP, FCCM, physician-in-chief at OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, professor and chair of pediatrics, and associate dean for Children’s Services in the OHSU School of Medicine, and Credit Unions for Kids chair. “Freestyle serves as, first and foremost, a time to celebrate these children and the more than 100,000 children who will come for care at Doernbecher throughout the year. Freestyle also celebrates our donor community and especially Nike, without whom the extraordinary care, research education and advocacy at Doernbecher would not be possible. We guarantee you will have one of the most moving nights of your life and urge you to see for yourself what is best and brightest about our world."
Meet the 2025 Doernbecher Freestyle patient-designers
SERGIO
Age: 10
Hometown: Portland, Oregon
Diagnosis: Mucopolysaccharidosis type IV A (MPS IVA)
Hero: My family
Secret talent: I’m really flexible
Prized possession: My port catheter – it makes infusions super easy!
Collection hint: My shoes are for those who aren’t afraid to be different
MOLLY
Age: 13
Hometown: Portland, Oregon
Diagnosis: Autism
Favorite sport: Archery
Secret talent: Building campfires
Dream destination: The Amazon rainforest
Collection hint: I love the great outdoors – and so does my shoe
RAEGAN
Age: 13
Hometown: Medford, Oregon
Diagnosis: Anomalous aortic origin of the right coronary artery
Heroes: My medical team
My favorite activity is: Anything sport-related
My goal is to: Play Division 1 softball
Collection hint: Look inside to find my favorite place
KHOVNY
Age: 8
Hometown: Keizer, Oregon
Diagnosis: Preterm birth, Congenital chylothorax
My parents named me after: My doctors
Surprising fact: I love snakes
Favorite hobbies: Drawing, dancing and horseback riding
Collection hint: Get ready to light up the night!
OLI
Age: 9
Hometown: Eugene, Oregon
Diagnosis: T-cell lymphoma
When I grow up I want to: Be a chef
Favorite movie: Ratatouille
I really love: Rainbows
Collection hint: Kitchen utensils included
ZACH
Age: 17
Hometown: Salem, Oregon
Diagnosis: Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT)
Favorite activity: Riding my bike
Prized possession: My electric guitar
I’m inspired by: Family, friends and my cats
Collection hint: My shoe has a serious need for speed