Hundreds of people will gather at the state capitol today to celebrate organ, eye, and tissue transplants. Gift of Life Michigan hopes to bring together families of donors with recipients whose lives have been saved.

Organizers also hope it's a reminder to the public about the critical need to increase Michigan's donor registry.

Sarah McPharlin, a 21-year-old, MSU student, caught a virus that attacked her heart when she was 11 years old. The virus left her heart unable to beat on its own.

"I knew that I was sick and if I didn't get the organ I could die," McPharlin said.

After 70 days on the transplant waiting list, McPharlin got a new heart.

"I feel honored that I got a second chance at life and I'm really grateful for the donor family that made the decision to donate their child's organs," said McPharlin.

Not everyone is as lucky as McPharlin. Today, nearly 3,000 critically ill people in Michigan are waiting for transplants.

"In Michigan, about 2.1 million adults are registered to become organ, tissue, or eye donors," said Betsy Miner-Swartz, communications specialist for Gift of Life Michigan. "We're behind the national average significantly, and we've been struggling the last couple of years to catch up."

Many people on the transplant waiting list will never receive the transplant they need.

"People who become donors, they end up heroes," said Miner-Swartz. "They save lives."

McPharlin encourages people to register to become donors.

"The more donors we get, the more people will receive transplants and get that second chance at life."

McPharlin's second chance at life has inspired her to become a nurse.

"The nurses had such an impact on my life. They helped me succeed and achieve my goals despite the setbacks in my life and my health problems. It makes me want to have that same impact on someone else's life," said McPharlin.

McPharlin says her transplant reminds her every day to live life to the fullest.

Organizers of the event today say it takes less than 10 seconds to sign up to become a donor. If you're interested, head to www.donatelife.org and click "Become a Donor."

The walk to the capitol will begin this morning at 11:45 a.m. Anyone who has been involved in or touched by the organ donation process is invited to attend.