Honoring Sienna Dixon-Newman’s Legacy at the Donate Life Family Fun Run
- Infinite Legacy
- Sep 25
- 4 min read
Sienna Dixon-Newman was born in January 2008. After having several debilitating asthma attacks, she was diagnosed with severe asthma at nine months old. Tragically, in 2015, at only seven years old, Sienna passed away from an asthma attack. Because her parents made the selfless decision for Sienna to be a tissue donor, Sienna saved and healed more than 75 lives. Her donations included her heart valves, corneas to restore sight and other tissue gifts.
Sienna’s Journey with Asthma: Remembering Her Loving Spirit
Growing up, Sienna was a happy child. She cared deeply about everyone and always wanted to help others no matter what. She would help her mom, Sierr'a, carry groceries and would stop to help those who were homeless. These small gestures showed the kind heart, love and compassion Sienna had for those around her.
Sienna was a busy kid involved in a lot of extracurricular activities, including karate, taekwondo, gymnastics, Girl Scouts, hip hop, ballet and dance. She also loved to read and draw.
Unfortunately, Sienna struggled with asthma since she was an infant. Getting diagnosed with asthma at that young is uncommon, especially since her lungs were still developing. Sienna’s asthma resulted in a few trips to the hospital and many doctor’s visits. Her family held onto hope that, like her father, she would eventually outgrow the condition.
After having two serious asthma attacks, Sierr’a was committed to learning everything to help her daughter. Sierr’a took classes at her local hospital and got CPR certified so she could help Sienna in case she had another attack. As Sienna continued to grow, her family thought her symptoms were starting to improve. They were shocked and devastated when she suddenly passed after an asthma attack in 2015.
Sienna’s Wishes: Saying “Yes” to Organ Donation
As a teenager, Sierr'a remembers registering as an organ, eye and tissue donor when she got her driver's permit at 16 years old. At the time, she didn't know much about organ donation, but knew she wanted to help others if anything ever happened to her.
A year before Sienna’s unexpected death, she pulled her mom’s wallet out of her purse and observed the red heart on her license. Sienna wanted to know what the red heart symbolized. Sierr’a explained that it means she’s registered as an organ, eye and tissue donor. Sienna asked what that meant; how do you explain organ donation to a six-year-old? With some difficulty, she explained how organ donation saves lives. Sienna said, “Oh, then I want to be an organ and tissue donor too.”
At the time of Sienna’s death, doctors told Sierr’a that her daughter met the qualifications to be a tissue donor and asked if she was interested in donation. Sierr'a immediately said, "yes." Later on, she remembered her conversation with Sienna in the car the day she saw the heart on her license. It brought comfort and a smile when she realized that Sienna had already said "yes" too.
Did You Know? One organ donor can save up to eight lives and a tissue donor can save and heal more than 75 lives.
Sienna’s corneas restored sight to a man in Maryland and a woman in another state. In addition, her heart valves saved the life of a little boy. Sierr’a found solace knowing Sienna healed and saved many lives, including that of a child. It meant another family didn’t have to grieve the loss of their baby, and that meant the world to Sierr’a. Sienna’s other tissues saved and healed more than 75 lives.
Finding Community: Sierr’a Giving Back as a Donate Life Ambassador
Two years after Sienna’s passing, Sierr’a was having a rough morning, missing her daughter when she turned on the TV. By chance, she saw an Infinite Legacy employee on FOX45 looking for volunteers to become Donate Life Ambassadors to help spread awareness about organ, eye and tissue donation. Sierr’a recognized Infinite Legacy and remembers how the organization helped her through Sienna’s passing. Sierr’a decided to attend the Donate Life Ambassador orientation and began volunteering with Infinite Legacy right away.
Sierr’a feels there was a reason she turned the TV on in that exact moment. She is extremely grateful to have gotten involved in the Infinite Legacy community and for the new relationships she’s made. Sierr’a continues to learn the impact organ, eye and tissue donation has by talking to recipients and other donor families. She is extremely grateful that others said “yes” to donation and that her daughter Sienna helped bring these wonderful people into her life.
Remembering Sienna’s Legacy at the Donate Life Fun Run
In 2017, Sierr’a and her family created the team “Sienna 7” to honor Sienna at Infinite Legacy’s annual Donate Life Fun Run. They had no idea how big the event was, and how impactful it would be. As they mark the 10-year anniversary of Sienna’s passing, her memory is alive in their hearts and her legacy lives on. This event brings loved ones together to honor and remember our donor heroes. Participants include donor families and friends, hospital partners, transplant recipients, living donors, waitlist candidates and people who support our mission. Our next Donate Life Fun Run is Saturday, September 27, 2025, at the Camden Yards Sports Complex in Baltimore. Join us in honoring our donor heroes by registering today!
Save Lives Like Sienna: Register as an Organ Donor
If Sierr’a could give one piece of advice to other donor parents grieving the loss of their child, she would want them to know that they can find a tremendous amount of support from organizations like Infinite Legacy. Sierr’a has had many difficult days but takes comfort in knowing Sienna saved many lives. You can save and heal lives like Sienna by saying “yes” to donation and registering as an organ, eye and tissue donor.
“I look at Sienna and all donors as heroes.” - Sierr’a
Comments