TIM HAARMANN, 14, had just spent a week in Washington, D.C., with his eighth-grade class, then he flew back across the country to a baseball tournament where he played five straight games. He was exhausted, but that was to be expected. What wasn’t expected or normal was a massive bruise that lasted 10 weeks after he was hit by a pitch. And instead of rebounding with rest, Tim was becoming increasingly fatigued and weak. Then came severe nosebleeds that sometimes lasted 30 minutes. He developed a fever. His pediatrician sent him to OHSU Doernbecher immediately, where he was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, or AML, a particularly devastating form of blood cancer.
Tim got sicker before he got better. He would endure 10 days of chemo, then 20 days of recovery, all while staying full-time in the hospital. In the hospital, he read the entire collection of Sherlock Holmes stories. He got really good at Settlers of Catan, his favorite board game. A born competitor, he figured out 24 laps around the unit equaled a mile. He made it a goal to walk a mile each day. He ended up walking 53 miles — more than two marathons. He has discovered a love for running and a strength within himself that will carry him through his life ahead. Now as he flies along the wooded trails near his house, he feels alive and strong and free.
Tim’s design of the Nike Free 5.0 features “24” on one heel and “LAPS” on the other. Purple and black is a nod to his favorite team, the Washington Huskies, and the custom checkered fabric is inspired by the flag at the finish line of a race. He pays tribute to the memory of two of his friends, Big Boy and Audrey, who also battled cancer at OHSU Doernbecher. And the sockliner graphic is inspired by Settlers of Catan. Tim’s collection also includes a hoody and cap, highlighted by “24” and the colors of the Huskies.