Nike and Doernbecher Children's Hospital Unite to Empower Kids by Design
December 20 2006 - 2:00PM
PR Newswire (US)
In Third Year of Doernbecher Freestyle Project, Young Patients
Design Five New Nike Shoes to Raise Proceeds for Oregon's Premier
Children's Hospital - a Popular Gift Option This Holiday Season
PORTLAND, Ore., Dec. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The third annual
Doernbecher Freestyle project reunites Nike and Portland,
Oregon-based Doernbecher Children's Hospital in a fund-raising
campaign that allows creative young patients the opportunity to
design Nike footwear. The patients, who have battled serious
illness, are granted complete artistic license as they work with
Nike designers through the entire process of design, from selecting
a shoe style to choosing materials, colors and patterns. Just in
time for the holidays, this philanthropic partnership provides a
gift option that gives back to those who need it most. (Logo:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19990818/NIKELOGO ) The
Doernbecher Freestyle line of footwear went on sale November 10,
2006. The shoes are available for purchase at
http://www.niketown.com/ and at NikeTown stores across the country.
All profits from the nationwide campaign are donated to Doernbecher
Children's Hospital to benefit research, health care for uninsured
children and new advances in medical technology. To date, the
program has generated more than $500,000 for Doernbecher -- and
priceless experiences for some brave kids. The first-time designers
range in age from 12 to 17, and have courageously battled against
Wilms' tumor, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, caudal regression
syndrome, neurosurgery and cystic fibrosis. These talented kids
symbolize the perseverance of the 56,500 children from Oregon and
beyond who receive treatment each year from Doernbecher -- a
world-class academic pediatric health center. Through the efforts
of Doernbecher and Nike, these five young people get to make their
mark while making a contribution to a noble cause. During this
holiday season take a moment to check out the colorful Doernbecher
Freestyle line. With designs inspired from graffiti, school spirit
and futuristic worlds, these shoes help you look good while helping
others feel good. Of course, since these shoes were reinterpreted
from current Nike basketball and dance styles, the performance is
top notch as well. Boasting, amongst other things, laser-etched
graphics, a map of the earth and the Chinese character for strength
-- something these kids know all about -- this limited edition line
represents footwear at its finest. Shoes are priced from $80 to
$130, depending on the style. Photos are available at
http://www.ohsuhealth.com/dch/support/fund_freestyle.asp . Sue
Nicol, executive director of the Doernbecher Children's Hospital
Foundation, said the program is remarkable on multiple levels. It
is simultaneously an effective fund-raising program, an uplifting
opportunity for kids who have battled serious medical conditions
and a source of national recognition for Doernbecher's high-quality
programs. But in the world of philanthropy, she said, Freestyle
also serves as "a fantastic model for how a nonprofit can benefit
from a strong relationship with its board members." Originally
proposed by Doernbecher Foundation Board Member Michael Doherty,
Nike's Global Presentation Creative Director, the program has
proved to be equally rewarding to Nike and the designers who
participate. Nike designer Marcus Tayui, who worked on the first
two Doernbecher Freestyle projects, says, "The best thing here is
that we learn just as much from the kids as they learn from us."
This year, fellow Nike designer Mark Smith took over the project's
reins and continued the collaborative effort, giving shape to the
young patients' extraordinary vision. This year's Doernbecher
Freestyle design team includes: -- Tess Beach, 12, a 7th grader at
Cal Young Middle School in Eugene, who was treated at Doernbecher
for a Wilms' tumor. Her basketball shoe pays homage to her love of
travel. -- Kenny Clegg, 12, a 7th grader at Ogden Middle School in
Oregon City, who had neurosurgery at Doernbecher to relieve
seizures. His basketball shoe is a sci-fi collage of circuitry,
chrome plating, and even a Cyclops eye he drew himself. -- Lance
Dillon, 17, a LaPine High School senior. Designed with input from a
professional graffiti artist, Lance's shoe is packed with powerful
messages about his life and his fight against acute lymphoblastic
leukemia. -- Bryant King, 15, a sophomore at Marist High School in
Eugene, who has been through two kidney transplants as a result of
caudal regression syndrome. As the manager of his high school
basketball team, Bryant naturally went with the Marist Spartans'
blue and metallic gold colors for his shoe. -- Phoebe Mattera, 16,
a junior at the Arts & Communications Magnet Academy in
Portland, who has cystic fibrosis. Her stylish women's
fitness/dance shoes add an element of cool sophistication to this
year's Freestyle line. The Doernbecher Children's Hospital
Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization that exists to secure
private philanthropic support for Doernbecher Children's Hospital
at Oregon Health & Science University. The foundation raises
funds from individuals, companies, foundations and organizations,
and invests and manages gifts in accordance with donors' wishes.
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19990818/NIKELOGO
http://photoarchive.ap.org/ DATASOURCE: Nike CONTACT: Michael
MacRae, DCH Foundation, +1-503-412-6372, or ; or Ilana Finley,
+1-503-671-6734, or , or Bob Applegate, +1-503-671-4177, or , both
of Nike Web site: http://www.nikebiz.com/
http://www.doernbecherfoundation.org/
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