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Shouts to my brother Premium Pete for shooting me these images from the Doernbecher Freestyle Project.

About Doernbecher Freestyle

Doernbecher Freestyle was created in 2004 when Doernbecher Foundation board member Michael Doherty invited one of Nike’s shoe designers to take a tour of the hospital. It was designer Marcus Tayui’s vision to see patients design shoes with the proceeds benefiting the hospital that in many cases has saved their lives.

Part of the program involves a launch party held in October where more than 300 business and community leaders come together to see the shoes, bid on limited pairs and meet the patients/designers in person.

Now in its seventh year, this extraordinary program has raised over $2.4 million for the hospital, which uses the funds for everything from clinical programs and hospital construction to providing care for uninsured children. This year’s patient designers come from Doernbecher’s cancer, neurosurgery, cardiac surgery and nephrology programs.

Several years ago I purchased a pair of Doernbecher Dunks at a Niketown party. I wish all my sneaker acquisitions had the benefit of donating money to worthy causes like this. I’d certainly have put a dent in cancer with all the sneakers I have.

This years offering has plenty of flavor and originality as well as some futuristic silhouettes. Here’s a quick preview of my favorite styles…

Air Jordan III’s with an icy outsole? Fire flames james.

God is in the details and the Zoom Vomero is chock full of graphics and materials details. The gingham print is so effin’ country cabin. The premium leather is also a nice touch. My favorite detail is the articulation of the outsole.

I was never into the P-Rod signature skateboard shoe but this pair of P-Rod 2.5’s turned me out with the graphic on the removable insole.

jedi masters and lightsabers, oh my.

My favorite pair of the pack is the Air Zenyth. The silhouette is clean and understated. I think these might be women’s sizes only so I shouldn’t hesitate in copping a pair for Chocolate Snowflake.

I’m not an Air Force 1 dude in the least, but these joints have a colorway reminiscent of the volcano lava inspired ‘Heat Rocks‘.