Last year’s edition of the Doernbecher came in the Air Jordan 13, and left nothing for me to desire- they looked like something you will find on the early 90’s fake shoes’ websites. But I don’t want to knock the shoes down because of the whole idea behind the DB series:” Give the children the opportunity to design the entire shoe, and allow them to freely express themselves”. Furthermore the DB project is also for a good cause- all the proceeds from the shoes’ sales are donated to support the Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, dedicated to find cures and help kids battling potentially terminal illnesses.
This year, the Air Jordan 7 Retro Doernbecher is the “chosen one”and they are beside amazing; Ten year old Damien Phillips is the genius behind it. He is fighting hemophilia, which is a genetic disorder caused by missing or defective factor VIII, a clotting protein. He was celebrated for earning the Big Stick Award, given to attendees at a hemophilia camp ( teaching kids about self-infusion). That’s right, the award is given to children who are able to carry out their own infusions- it is indicative of independence, which is a huge achievement for children this age.
Here is what Phillips said about his design of the Air Jordan 7 Retro Doernbecher:
“My primary inspirations for the shoe were a guitar and Chicago’s basketball team. I had an amazing experience doing something I’ve never done before. It surprised me that I got such an amazing team and had so many options for a shoe. My favorite part of the shoe-making process was choosing the material. It positively impacted my life through meeting new people and getting me out in the world”.
WHERE TO GET THE AIR JORDAN 7 RETRO DOERNBECHER?
The entire DB collection will officially release on December 17 via nike.com, SNKRS, and will also be available at select Nike and partner retail locations nationwide including Shoe Palace, Villa and Mr. Allen’s
