Doernbecher Freestyle Collection Raises Over $2.4 Million
Six patient-designers from the region unveiled their custom Nike shoes at a gala event held at the Portland Art Museum.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Philanthropy
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Two Southwest Washington patients joined four other youth designers at the Portland Art Museum to unveil custom Nike shoes as part of the 22nd Doernbecher Freestyle Collection. The event, which highlights the creative work of patients at the hospital, raised more than $2.4 million to support ongoing pediatric care.
Why it matters
This long-standing partnership between Doernbecher Children's Hospital and Nike turns patient stories into a significant funding stream for regional medical services. By auctioning these limited-edition sneakers, the program provides both financial support and a creative platform for families navigating complex health journeys.
The 22nd annual auction raised over $2.4 million through the designs of six annual patient-designers. The total universe of funding helps sustain Doernbecher Children's Hospital operations, though the specific clinical allocation for these proceeds remains to be finalized.
The players
Doernbecher Children's Hospital
A prominent pediatric medical center in Portland that partners with Nike for annual fundraising.
Nike
The athletic apparel company that collaborates with pediatric patients to design custom footwear.
OHSU Foundation
The philanthropic arm of Oregon Health & Science University that helps oversee the patient-designer selection committee.
Charlye Cosgrove
A 15-year-old patient-designer from Southwest Washington who founded the Cheering for Charlye Foundation.
Aurora Loss
An 11-year-old patient-designer from Southwest Washington and kidney transplant recipient.
The details
Each year, Doernbecher clinicians nominate patients for the program, with a joint committee from the hospital, Nike, and the OHSU Foundation selecting six designers. This year included 15-year-old Charlye Cosgrove, who finished bone cancer treatment this past June and manages the Cheering for Charlye Foundation, and 11-year-old Aurora Loss, who underwent a kidney transplant. The shoes were revealed during the October 16 gala, and the funds will go directly to supporting the hospital's pediatric initiatives.
Timeline
June 11, 2025: Charlye Cosgrove completed her bone cancer treatment.
October 16, 2026: Patient-designers debuted their custom shoe collections at the Portland Art Museum auction.
Beyond the Bridges
The recent auction marks the 22nd year of the Doernbecher Freestyle Collection program. This successful outcome continues the trend of the initiative serving as a central pillar for the hospital's annual fundraising efforts.
Residents interested in the hospital's progress can watch for updates on how these funds specifically support upcoming equipment or research grants at Doernbecher. The auction itself is an annual fixture that brings significant philanthropic attention to the city's medical district.
The takeaway
The program highlights the vital role of patient stories in driving regional medical philanthropy. Residents interested in future support opportunities should follow the OHSU Foundation's annual event announcements for next year's cycle.
Further reading
Learn more about local non-profit efforts and community support in our Philanthropy section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Columbian.
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