In the early 2000s, Nike embarked on a partnership with the Doernbecher Children's Hospital that would leave a lasting impression on both the lives of young patients and the sneaker world as a whole. At the heart of the initiative was Michael Doherty, a Nike executive who served on the board of directors for the Doernbecher Foundation. Recognizing the hospital’s importance, he proposed an idea to generate funds for the hospital while offering a special opportunity to the patients. His idea was simple yet powerful; a yearly collection of limited-edition sneakers designed by the patients themselves. For almost two decades, the sneaker community has seen their stories come to life and felt their bravery and resilience through the creativity of their designs.

The Air Jordan 1 "What the Doernbecher" is a fitting tribute to the legacy of the Doernbecher Freestyle program, honoring the designs of previous Nike Doernbecher releases. Embracing the iconic "What The" design method, popularized by the Nike SB "What the Dunk," this special edition Air Jordan 1 combines elements from various past Doernbecher releases into a cohesive design.

Unlike previous Doernbecher releases that saw wider distribution, the Air Jordan 1 "What the Doernbecher" was not made available through general retail channels. Instead, Nike chose to auction off 17 pairs of these highly coveted sneakers via eBay in 2021. The decision to opt for an auction format added to the exclusivity and allure of the release, drawing significant attention from collectors and enthusiasts alike.

The auctions proved to be a resounding success, with each pair fetching an average of $33,239 and collectively raising an impressive total of $565,069.88 for the hospital.