Sierra Bochik lived boldly. She moved through the world with confidence, humor and an unmistakable energy that drew people in. She was smart, fiercely loyal and driven by a desire to help others. She made people laugh, protected the people she loved and formed meaningful, lasting connections wherever she went.
“Sierra was a force,” said her mother, Jennifer Bochik.
In July 2022, Sierra died at just 26 years old. In her final act, she became an eye, organ and tissue donor—saving lives, restoring sight and offering hope to families she would never meet. Today, Sierra’s legacy lives on through those gifts and through her family’s commitment to sharing her story so others may understand the power of donation.
A natural leader with a gentle heart
Sierra was the firstborn of the Bochik family—luminous, expressive and magnetic from the very beginning. She had a presence that filled a room. She worked hard in school, set goals for herself and followed through. Yet she never lost her sense of humor or her ability to put people at ease.
“She really made deep connections,” Jennifer said. “I don't think I understood that as much until after she died.”
Sierra’s friends later shared stories with Jennifer about how she listened, showed up and stood beside them during their most difficult moments—revealing just how deeply Sierra had touched the lives around her.
As the oldest cousin, Sierra naturally took on a leadership role within her family. She guided her younger cousins through their teenage years and young adulthood.
“She loved to help people,” Jennifer said. “She loved to speak up for those who didn't have a voice.”
Sierra’s determination showed itself early. She discovered her love of swimming in first grade and committed herself fully. Competitive and disciplined, she thrived in the structure and challenge the sport provided.
That same drive followed her into adulthood. Sierra attended Ohio University, double majoring in Spanish and nursing, until a devastating car accident in 2018 changed the trajectory of her life. She broke her neck and required lifesaving neurosurgery.
Physically, Sierra recovered quickly, but emotionally the road forward was far more complicated.
A final act of courage and care
Sierra later enrolled at Cleveland State University, earning a degree in Spanish with a minor in psychology. Her graduation in May 2021 was a moment of triumph. At the time of her death, Sierra was preparing for her next chapter—a graduate program for addiction counseling.
However, after surviving the car accident, Sierra struggled with addiction for years.
“It hijacked her whole being. Mentally, she was not the same person,” Jennifer said.
Sierra experienced periods of recovery and sobriety and was actively working to repair relationships and move forward.
“In July 2020, she overdosed for the first time,” Jennifer said. “That was when we realized that, oh wow, okay, this is a problem. We invited her to move back in. We offered our support, whatever we could do to help her on any path towards recovery. It was a couple years on and off of struggling with addiction; it was a battle and wasn't easy. Once you put those street drugs in your body it's really hard to come off them.”
Sierra was dating another recovering addict who preferred to use heroin laced with fentanyl. One night, the two used together and Sierra went into cardiac arrest.
“We don't know how long she was out for, but they [EMS] did revive her,” Jennifer said. “I got woken up the next morning with voicemails and went to the hospital.”
When Jennifer arrived at the hospital, Sierra was in the ICU on a ventilator. Over the next several days, tests revealed that she would not recover.
When Sierra was getting her driver’s license, she registered to be a donor.
“She said she wanted to help people,” Jennifer said. “We talked about it later after her accident, and she explained her resolve to be an organ donor. So, it was something that she considered very thoughtfully.”
Faced with an unimaginable decision, Jennifer and her family chose to honor Sierra's decision.
“It wasn't easy, but when we realized that she could, you know, even as a person who struggled with drug addiction, her organs were still viable and could save others, what a huge moment,” Jennifer said. “It was a mixed feeling. You’re in intense grief and sad for the outcome. The outcome is death. She's gone but at the same time, she's a hero, saving lives of others, as is every donor.”
The last thing Jennifer did for her daughter was comb her hair.
“She had long, thick hair, and after a day [in the ICU] it was really messy,” Jennifer said. “I just dug out her hair tie and brushed her hair tangle-free, like when she was a toddler, and put it back up in her messy bun. That was the final act of care from me as her mother.”
The quiet moments that last
Some of Jennifer’s most cherished memories of Sierra are ordinary moments. When Sierra moved back home, their days often began with coffee and conversation—Sierra sitting on the floor of Jennifer’s home office, talking about everything and nothing.
Today, that same spot is now Sierra’s altar—a place of remembrance and connection—and it also holds her ashes.
“I spend a lot of time in this office,” Jennifer shared. “It’s nice to look at all of her things over there. I haven't done anything with her ashes. I can't let them go.”
When Sierra's little brother, Vanner, got his first assignment in the military, he was assigned to South Korea. Before his deployment, Sierra wrote him a note of encouragement.
“Our son carries it with him in his uniform pocket. It's always there,” Jennifer said.
For Jennifer, honoring Sierra means talking about her whenever possible. She spoke at Lifebanc's Donor Memorial Service in 2025, a meaningful event to honor donors and their families in Ohio, and she shares Sierra’s story online.
“I will never not share,” she said. “Anytime I have the opportunity to tell anybody about Sierra, I do.”
When she tells Sierra’s story, she focuses on who Sierra was—not her struggles, but her strength, compassion and generosity.
Be fierce like Sierra
Jennifer hopes Sierra’s story reminds others of how precious life is—and how powerful one choice can be.
“Try to be your best self. Try to be impactful. Don't let fear run your life. Do the things you want to do and don't wait. That's something I've learned from Sierra,” she said.
Sierra’s influence continues to guide her mother’s life, helping her move through grief and life with courage, humor and authenticity.
“I'm trying to honor her in that way. It's helped me in tough situations, not to take stuff so seriously,” she said. “When I get stressed out, I think to myself, Sierra wouldn't have done this. She would've just laughed it off. So, I would say, life is short. Make an impact. Be fierce like Sierra.”
Stories that carry light forward
Sierra’s story is one of many that show how donation can provide hope and healing. Across our community, donors, recipients and families are connected through stories of courage, generosity and hope.
Explore more impact stories to see how one choice can change lives—and how legacies like Sierra’s continue to shine.