During their off-season, most Viking athletes stay busy with training, conditioning and personal development. They focus on improving their skills and on preparing themselves for another season of Division I competition.
But in the summer before her senior season, Viking soccer player Cameron Dixon’s attention was elsewhere. She was focused on family as she made the heroic decision to postpone her senior year of play and save her mother’s life.
For years, Dixon’s mother had suffered from polycystic disease, a genetic complication that impacts the kidneys and liver. By the spring of 2023, her mother was going into liver failure and time was running out to locate an organ donor.
Dixon learned that she was a donor match and, despite her mother’s concerns, she knew what she was going to do. “I told her it was a no-brainer and I was going to be her donor,” Dixon wrote in an NCAA Women’s Soccer blog. “Her life was far more important than soccer, and soccer would still be there on the other side of the surgery, one way or another.”
The surgery took place last summer but Dixon’s mother was still not out of the woods. She also needed a kidney transplant. Fortunately, the doctors found a match quickly and performed a successful follow-up surgery last month. Dixon’s mother is now in recovery thanks to her daughter’s dedication, and her doctor’s care.
As for Dixon, she recently returned to the pitch and even played in a preseason game. We caught up with her to learn how she got back into Viking shape.
What have been the hardest aspects of recovery and getting back into Division I shape?
It definitely wasn’t easy getting back to Division I shape. For me, it was more mental than physical. The struggle was trying to play “catch up” with my teammates while also only being able to do so much. I came back to Portland almost a month post-op and immediately jumped back in wherever I could. Although all I wanted was to be back on the field with my teammates, I knew I needed to take my time and come back the right way. I needed to listen to my body.
My diet was similar to before the transplant — I have always taken nutrition very seriously and have eaten well most of my life. There was a little wrench in the works though because my gallbladder was removed during the transplant so I had to alter a few minor things in my diet. I would say that I honestly came back stronger than I was before the transplant, both physically and mentally. I just won the NSCA Strength and Conditioning All-American Award.
How has the soccer team supported you during this journey?
My teammates, coaches, trainers and team doctors have been nothing but supportive throughout this whole journey. They are truly the reason that my family and I were able to make this happen. Whether it was before, during or after the transplant, I had undeniable support from every single person at Portland State.
What are you looking forward to about playing in your final season? Is there anything that feels more special about it given all that you’ve gone through?
I am genuinely just excited to be able to compete with my teammates and best friends again. When I went into the transplant, I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to return to soccer so the fact that I am back and just played in my first game means the world to me.
If someone is interested in becoming a living donor where can they get more information?
There are many resources if you are interested in becoming a living donor, especially if you live near a transplant center, like OHSU for example. Donate Life Northwest has ways to help, or even if you just look up information on living donation you will be able to find lots of ways to get involved.