For single mom Gerri Osman, it was the shocking news her only child, 16-year-old Sebastian, had been struck by a car and lay near death from massive head injuries.

For terminally ill Charlaine Munk, the call meant a life-saving liver, not Sebastian's, was available.

Osman and Munk - united by adversity and ultimately, healing - now share a common goal: to increase organ donations and educate the public about its benefits along with other staff and volunteers from Intermountain Donor Services (IDS).

One of the most successful of the nation's 57 organ procurement organizations, IDS serves 2.7 million Utahns and individuals in southeast Idaho and western Wyoming.

IDS also approaches families of potential donors, evaluates donor suitability and coordinates the recovery, preservation and transplantation of organs, according to the United Network of Organ Sharing's Web site.

Sebastian, an East High sophomore, was removed from life support after eight days. His liver, tissue and kidneys were donated. He chose to become an organ donor after learning about the topic in a presentation made to his driver education class, one of dozens of such delivers made to new drivers across Utah each year.

"Something in the presentation impressed and touched him," Gerri Osman said.

IDS also hosts fundraisers and community activities, including an annual 5K run, "UFO (Unicycling for Organs) Sightings," and sponsors print and television media campaigns to boost public awareness.

The need for donated organs is constantly rising, said IDS Public Education Director Alex McDonald. An estimated 17 to 20 people per day - the equivalent of 15 jumbo jets with packed with 400 passengers apiece - die before the life-saving procedure can take place.

About 330 Utahns and nearly 100,000 people nationally await transplants.

The team works collaboratively with Utah's Driver License Division and employers like Merit Medical Systems in South Jordan, C.R. England Trucking and others to debunk common myths, answer questions and encourage sign-ups.

" 'Will they do everything they can to save me [if I become a donor]?' That's probably the biggest [concern]," McDonald said. Yes. Every effort is made to save all patients, and donation is discussed only if brain death or certain other conditions apply, making only one in 80 deaths eligible for donation, he says.

Other misconceptions are the rich or famous receive organs first (they don't - organs are matched to recipients based upon blood or tissue type, medical urgency and time on the wait list); or you must be young to donate (many donors are well into their 70s).

The good news is increasing numbers are responding to the call, he said.

More than 1,100 phone calls from those interested in donating one kidney - the organ in shortest supply - to a stranger in the Good Samaritan program have been received by IDS. Nearly 40 such transplants have been done in the last four years.

"[Organ donation] is sharing yourself in the most humanitarian sense of the word. I can't think of a more important [cause]," said David Sundwall, executive director of the Utah Department of Health.

Charlaine Munk counts herself one of the lucky ones.