How 1 Girl Changed 7 Lives

One family's tragedy eventually helped to save the lives of seven strangers. And that is why The Early Show's "In The Family Circle" takes a look at the importance of organ donation.

Heidi Sewalish was 13 years old when she lost her life in a car accident in 1998. Her mother Dianne made the decision to donate her daughter's organs. Today the family lives with the memories of Heidi and the joy of saving those seven lives.

The story is featured in the June issue of Family Circle magazine, and Friday morning along with Susan Ungaro, the magazine's editor-in-chief, Dianne Sewalish and organ recipient Cori Evans share their story with co-anchor Hannah Storm. Stay tuned!

According to Lifenet, one of the 58 organ and tissue donation agencies in the country, there is a critical shortage of organs in the U.S.

More than 88,000 people are currently awaiting an organ transplant in the U.S. On average, 18 people die each day waiting for a life-saving organ transplant that doesn't come in time.

But one donor can save seven lives through organ donation and enhance more than 50 lives through tissue donation. Organs and tissues that can be donated include: heart, kidneys, lungs, pancreas, liver, intestines, corneas, skin, tendons, bone, and heart valves.

To be an organ and tissue donor, the most important thing you can do is to document your decision. Find out to be become an organ and tissue donor in your state by visiting www.donatelife.net.