Nike’s pointed efforts towards the fight against COVID-19 comes full circle as the Air Zoom Pulse, a sneaker designed specifically for healthcare workers, resurfaces at a time when it’s needed the most. The Swoosh brand first introduced the Air Zoom Pulse sneaker back in November 2019, garnering heavy interest from nurses and other healthcare “athletes” who spend long hours on their feet. Today, Nike has announced that it will donate 30,000 pairs of the shoes to frontline healthcare wokers who are bravely fighting for the lives of those inflicted. The shoes will go towards the everyday heroes in Barcelona, Chicago, Laakdal (Belgium), London, Los Angeles, Memphis, Milan, New York City and Paris.
Since the COVID-19 outbreak earlier this year, Nike has directed considerable efforts to support the fight against the pandemic. Back in March, a financial donation of over $17.5 million towards the relief efforts was made, while PPE faceshields made out of the same materials used to make their own sneakers were created and donated for healthcare workers across the nation. Nike has also partnered with non-profit Good360 to donate over 140,000 pieces of footwear, apparel, and equipment globally.
In celebration of these brave individuals, Nike athletes Sabrina Ionescu (WNBA), Joc Pederson (LA Dodgers), Ja Morant (Memphis Grizzlies) and Casey Short (Chicago Red Stars) in the US and Anni Espar Llaquet (Spanish National Team Water Polo) took to Instagram to thank healthcare workers.