Doernbecher Foundation hosts Freestyle

George & Monica Hosfield were the lucky winning bidders of Anthony Roletto’s shoe

Nearly 450 community members celebrated the unveiling of the 2011 Doernbecher Freestyle at the Portland Art Museum. The event raised $360,000. Doernbecher Freestyle is a partnership between OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital and Nike. Each year, a group of special Doernbecher patients who have triumphed over serious illness are selected to design unique Nike shoes which are sold at Nike stores nationwide and online to raise funds for the hospital. (Photo Credit, Michael Schmitt & Marisa McKenney) To buy the shoes on-line, there’s the link: Nike’s DOERNBECHER COLLECTION.

Nike’s Elliott Hill & Michael Doherty smile with Doernbecher Foundation Executive Director Mary Turina, OHSU President, Dr. Joe Robertson and Dr. Stacy Nicholson, Chair of Pediatrics, OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital

Dirk Davis, VP of Sales for Unified Grocers and Doernbecher Foundation Board Member, and his family gather around Dacia Kasenga’s design

Haleh Simi with husband, Ziba President & Founder and Doernbecher Foundation Board member, Sohrab Vossoughi pose with Doernbecher Foundation Executive Director Mary Turina

Guests at the October 8th unveiling enjoyed the opportunity to create their own t-shirt using elements of this year’s collectible shoes. They also had the chance to meet the patient designers and bid on their one-of-a-kind designs.

Paul & Nancy Frisch sit with Howard Hedinger and Patient designer Isaiah Scott poses with former Portland Trail Blazer Terry Porter

Sponsors included the following:

NIKE

Stimson Lumber Company

Unified Grocers

Cliff & Sally Brown

Precision Body & Paint, Inc.

Ziba Design

Mary & Brot Bishop

Bruggere Family Foundation

Kevin & Geni Director and Family

The Ehlen Family

Hoffman Construction

Jim Fisher Volvo

Maletis Beverage

Market of Choice

The Papé Family

Umpqua Private Bank

ZGF Architects, LLC

Elisa Klein

I’ve been a professional journalist and writer since 1987, (and long-time reporter for KOIN-TV.) As a nationally published reporter, with a Master’s Degree in Journalism, I love to report positive news and information. Journalism has also connected me with another non-profit where I served as a leader; the Northwest’s biggest writer’s organization: The Willamette Writers.