The Doernbecher team over at Nike is seriously shocking the sneaker world this month. Not only did they first announce the fifth and final re-release Doernbecher (Lance’s Dunk Low), but they also gave us the privilege of looking at the next Air Jordan 5 Doernbecher. But enough about that, this is all about Lance Dillon.
Lance Dillon first participated in the Doernbecher Freestyle program in 2007 while undergoing chemotherapy for leukemia. Working with Nike designer Mark Smith, Lance revealed the depths of his creativity in creating the Nike Dunk Low. Lasered graffiti graphics on the upper feature motivational words like fight, warrior and power along with the names of Lance’s family and the number of days Lance has gone through chemotherapy.
Today, Lance is a 24-year-old with a degree in anthropology from Oregon State University and fondly remembers his Doernbecher experience. “Getting to work with the Nike staff and design my own shoe are things that I will always remember. But the greatest part of it was knowing that it was helping other kids that were going through the same things that I went through.”
What is really special about this release and all the other Doernbecher releases is that they provide Hope. To be able to design your own Doernbecher sneaker is a privilege and a dream for most children. What Lance really did with this sneaker is not only design a piece of footwear, but he also designed a story; story for himself and all the other children, with hope, to look and live up to. The powerful words engraved within the Dunk Low delivers a powerful message, to just keep on fighting.
Lance’s Nike Doernbecher Dunk Low is available tomorrow, August 31st, 2013, via access Nike stores and twitter link only.
A note to Lance Dillon from SneakerFiles: WE here at SneakerFiles want to commemorate Lance on his life battle and the re-release of his Doernbecher Dunk Low. We want to thank you for the incredible story behind your Dunk Low and also want to say congratulations for finishing your studies successfully. You are a big inspiration and we are wishing you the best, keep fighting Lance.
Via NikeInsider