Johalan Sinohui was a high school student with big dreams and a lot of heart who had a beautiful, infectious and joy-filled smile. He wanted to become a doctor to help others and it was with that same sense of purpose that he signed up his state's donor registry. On August 2, 2011, Johalan was hit by a car and died, becoming an organ and tissue donor. His mother, Guadalupe Sinohui, has since become an active volunteer for Donor Network of Arizona and inspires others by sharing her son's legacy.

Johalan's Story

To his family, Johalan Sinohui was a gift from heaven: a beautiful star who lit up their lives. And for Johalan, his love for his family was reflected in his beautiful, infectious and joy-filled smile. He cared about people, and would often bring his friends to church, not merely because it was a fun place to play soccer and basketball, but because he was genuinely concerned for their spiritual well-being.

The more he was exposed to people around him who suffered from illness and physical limitations, Johalan also became concerned for people's physical well-being. As he learned about the human body, he was amazed at how God had created this complex and beautiful thing. He was inspired through his experiences to become a doctor, and as he devoted more and more time to making his dream a reality, he became aware of the fragility of life. This was a big influence in his decision to become an organ and tissue donor.

On August 2, 2011, 17-year-old Johalan was hit by a car and died. After his death, he donated his lungs, liver, kidneys, pancreas, corneas and tissue.

Johalan's light is missed by his family and many friends. His family has received letters from his lung recipient and a tissue recipient expressing how Johalan helped them. The Sinohui family is comforted by the knowledge that Johalan's dream to help others is being fulfilled, and his mother, Guadalupe Sinohui, shares her memory of her son as a volunteer for Donor Network of Arizona.