Joey Trejo's Memorial Fund

     Joey was a son, a brother, a cousin, a nephew,  a friend, a mentor, a student, ...
     
     He was born in Los Angeles on March 18th 1994, third born of six. Graduated from ELC class of 2012 from the Tech. Academy, was part of the volleyball team and cross country. He then attended UC Riverside graduating in 2016, summa cum laude and was given the honor of being  Student Marshall. He received his B.A in Sociology/Law and Society. During his undergrad, he had the opportunity to study and work in Tokyo, Japan. 

     Joey loved running long distances, ran a total of 4 marathons. He had a strong passion for photography, even photographed for the OC Fashion Week.  He enjoyed;  traveling, hiking, meditating, helping others, going to the gym etc. He was very into nutrition, being healthy. He always strived for the best. Never settling or getting comfortable. 

     Last week on Sun. April 29th, my brother got in a bad car accident on the freeway, leaving his car totaled. Some how he managed to get out of his car. Being disoriented, he then fell off the ramp landing onto another freeway leaving him unconscious. Witnesses called 911 rushing him to the ER in Saint Francis. He was John Doe for 24 hours. The sheriffs contacted us on Monday afternoon, April 30th.  As soon as we got there we were directed to the Intensive Care Unit. I went into his room and was stunned to see it full with hospital staff and a priest. I looked at the bed and saw my brothers body just laying there with tubes in his mouth and nose, connected to multiple machines. We were notified that my brother had multiple fractures all over his body and suffered a brain injury due to the accident. They ran a brain scan and the trauma doctor diagnosed him as brain dead, giving us 24 hours before they would disconnect him from life support. We fought to keep him connected at least another 24 hours so family and friends would be able to say their last good byes.   
     
     Joey wanted to grow life, started to garden before the tragedy and talked a lot about helping others find their path. As a family, it was very difficult but we remembered his words and decided to donate all of his organs to help another person have a second opportunity at life. So on Sat. May 5th, at 2:45 am,  my brother was taken  into surgery.  

    At this moment my family and I are asking for your help. We have become aware of how expensive funeral arrangements can be including the casket, transportation, embalming, equipment, staff to help, burial, and all other fees. I know that everyone has their own struggles at the moment but any  little counts and it is very appreciated. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Let us all just remember my brother Joey for the kind person he was, always standing tall with a bright smile on his face.