With each year, the anticipation grows for Nike’s distinguished Doernbecher creations. A blend of talent and creativity from the wards of Oregon Health and Sciences University (OHSU) Doernbecher Children’s Hospital leads to the birth of some truly unique sneaker designs. Although every design bears its own distinct charm and creativity, a select few ascend to iconic status. The Nike Air Foamposite One “Doernbecher” solidly falls into this category.
The Beautiful Tale of the Nike Air Foamposite One “Doernbecher”
In the year 2013—a remarkable fourteen-year-old named Elijah Diggins utilised the majestic silhouette of the Nike Air Foamposite One to narrate his incredible tale. After overcoming his battle with Burkitt’s Leukaemia, this young warrior marked his triumph over the deadly disease by designing a Foamposite that showcased a striking black and red palette.
The Air Foamposite One “Doernbecher” sneaker featured a fiery red and black upper, with swirling red patterns weaving their way across the shoe’s hard shell design. This stunning colour scheme was a tribute to his favourite athlete, Lebron James, who at that time was still a member of the Miami Heat.
Rather than the usual branding on the tongue, the design sported Japanese characters that stand for bravery. The shoe is also infused with personal touches like an insole graphic of a chain link, echoing Elijah’s cherished silver bracelet—a token from his parents when he embarked on the tough journey of chemotherapy. A uniquely customised logo, ingeniously using his initials to create a smiley face, can then also be spotted on the heel and removable hang tag.
As a final touch, the young artist marked his creation with a signature on the pull tab and the same removable hang tag. Scanning through every intricate detail of his design, it’s clear that he poured every ounce of his passion into the creation. His dedication and creativity were so well-received that Nike decided to do a re-release of these beloved sneakers in 2019.
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Despite a few years since its last release, you can still find this unique pair available on several resale platforms. And due to its rarity and distinctiveness, it demands more than double, sometimes even triple, its original retail price.
A Case for a Re-release
Even though the Nike Air Foamposite One “Doernbecher” can be found on numerous resale platforms, many enthusiasts are still yearning for an official re-release from Nike- or at least we certainly are. After all, wouldn’t it be preferable to pay the original retail prices, with the added merit of your money going straight to a charity supported by the sale? However, beyond sidestepping the hefty resale costs or backing the charitable cause, we see room for yet another reason to revive this design.
2024 will finally bring the much-awaited Deadpool 3 to the big screen. In this context, we passionately feel this bold shoe design would be an ideal fit for a unique release with this upcoming blockbuster. The striking colours and contemporary styling of the shoe perfectly match the Deadpool theme. Plus, you must have noticed that the design of Elijah’s logo bears a slight likeness to the iconic Deadpool face branding.
Perhaps it is also worth remembering that prior to being granted his regenerative powers, Deadpool, the rough-talking Canadian mercenary, was grappling with his own fight against Cancer. Consequently, it would seem both appropriate and meaningful that any collaborative designs linked to the film could serve to raise funds for cancer research in honour of Deadpool’s character arc.
Is a Re-Release of the Air Foamposite One “Doernbecher” in the Pipeline?
As the Doernbecher Freestyle collection hits the 20-year milestone this year, we’re all hoping for a pleasant surprise from Nike – a re-release of this particular, beloved design. It’s not without precedent; let’s not forget that in 2019, to celebrate the collection’s 15th anniversary, Nike gave us a delightful surprise with a re-release. So, it’s not beyond the realms of possibility.
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Still, while optimism is a good thing, let’s temper ours with a touch of realism. After all, there is a myriad of immensely popular Doernbecher designs that fans are clamouring to get another shot at buying. So, the ‘will they or won’t they’ question about another run of the Nike Air Foamposite One “Doernbecher” remains precisely that – a question. All we can do is remain alert and hopeful about Nike’s decision to re-release this popular design.
Would you root for the comeback of the Nike Air Foamposite One “Doernbecher” in 2024? Is it a good fit for the Deadpool movie release?
