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Nike ACG's Rufus mules just got their coolest makeover yet, thanks to a Doernbecher patient-slash-designer.

Yes, the Rufus has joined the Doernbecher Freestyle 22 lineup, marking the ACG model's debut appearance in the collection. Actually, every Nike and Jordan model featured this year will be Doernbecher first-timers, which is cool. It also makes the collection even more special.

Charlye, a 15-year-old who finished her bone cancer treatment in 2025, took Nike's ACG Rufus slip-ons for a spin. She gave them pink camo uppers, fluffy mossy green touches, and a UV-activated upper that cleverly reveals a new design. There's also a tab on the heel that features her name and the date she rang the bell.

It not only speaks to her medical journey but it's also inspired by her hiking adventures in the Pacific Northwest. A girl who loves the outdoors designing one of the best-looking all-conditions mules? Sounds like the perfect match to me.

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The rest of the Doernbecher Freestyle 22 collection includes a Nike Air Max 1/97, Structure Plus, Air Force 1 Mid, GT Future, and Air Jordan 11 Low IE, all designed by the hospital's talented kids.

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As usual, Nike's Doernbecher Freestyle 22 sneakers will first go up for auction. Then, the collection will get a wider release on Nike's website sometime this winter.

Nike's Doernbecher hits for a couple of reasons. For one, it's all for a good cause, with proceeds going directly toward the hospital's families and research. Secondly, the sneakers are genuinely great. Over the years, we've seen some super impressive designs like food-inspired Forces (complete with their own utensils) and "fire-breathing" Vomero 5 sneakers, which now fetch up to $1,000 on StockX, depending on the size.

The 2026 drop only brings more patient-designed bangers.

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