The Nike Air Huarache “Doernbecher” Is Siempre Fuerte Thanks To Dario Villaseñor Valdivia

Nike and the Oregon Health and Sciences University Doernbecher Children’s Hospital are teaming up for their annual Freestyle Collection which is now in its 18th year and gives six OHSU Doernbecher patients to help design and create footwear and apparel that are auctioned off to raise funds for the hospital which has raised nearly $31 million and counting.

After going virtual for the past 3 years, the auction will be held in person with attendees having the opportunity to bid on Freestyle sneakers and apparel, such as the Nike Air Huarache “Doernbecher” designed by Dario Villaseñor Valdivia.

When Dario received a bone marrow transplant seven years ago to treat his leukemia, his body attacked the donor cells, leaving his lungs severely damaged. But throughout it all, this good-natured guy has remained Siempre Fuerte (Always Strong). Dario’s shoe is a nod to some of his favorite things in life: oranges, which is seen on the upper, his long-haired plush toy, seen on the liner, and creating stick animation for his YouTube channel which is seen on the toebox and on the external cage. A “Huarache by Dario” logo is seen on the tongue with “Siempre Fuerte” printed on the outsole.

The Nike Air Huarache “Doernbecher” is set to drop in early 2023 via SNKRS and at select retailers. Check out the photos below and for all the latest drop dates, head over to our Sneaker Release Dates page.