Although she was only five years old, Sierra Heidrich had a spirit about her. Sierra cared about and wanted to take care of everyone. On December 10, 2006, Sierra and her family were hit head-on by a drunk driver. When her family learned that Sierra was brain dead, the entire family made the decision to donate Sierra's organs. "I knew that if we couldn't have our Christmas miracle, we wanted someone else to have theirs," said Amber, Sierra's aunt. "We look forward to watching the Rose Parade and seeing her beautiful face make us smile once again."

Sierra's Story

Although she was only five years old, Sierra Heidrich had a spirit about her. Sierra was the kid that cared about and wanted to take care of everyone. If there was a cranky person who no one really got along with, Sierra would be the one to befriend this person. There was a boy at school that no one played with; Sierra stood up to the other kids and played with this boy, regardless of what her peers said. Sierra was an old soul.

On December 10, 2006, Sierra was in the car while her family was driving home from a friend's house. Two minutes from home, they we were hit head-on by a drunk driver. Sierra was taken to Loma Linda University Medical Center, where she was hospitalized for eleven days. When her family learned there was no hope and that Sierra was brain dead, the entire family made the decision to donate Sierra's organs.

"I knew that if we couldn't have our Christmas miracle, we wanted someone else to have theirs," said Amber, Sierra's aunt, "We are excited that Sierra could help other people and know that her life goes on. We are proud of Sierra, proud of all that she gave to others in life and in her passing. I know that being a donor is a choice she would have made on her own in a heartbeat."

Amber became a Donate Life Ambassador in 2007 because she was looking for something to continue to remember and honor Sierra. "The Donate Life mission is a perfect fit and very special to me," said Amber. "Before becoming involved, I didn't know how many people are waiting, hoping for their gift of life. I work to inspire others to donate life because if Sierra was the one in need of a transplant, I would want somebody to help our family by saying yes to donation. We look forward to watching the Rose Parade and seeing her beautiful face make us smile once again."