Sarah-Lyn Copeland needs a double-lung transplant, and she’s been waiting a long time.

Copeland, who has cystic fibrosis, stays positive, even though she’s been on an organ-donor list for nine months waiting for a pair of lungs. She goes to physiotherapy three days a week to keep her body strong and ready for a transplant. But now, her health prevents her from attending school. Copeland, 17, is among more than 1,400 people in Ontario who need an organ.

And all Copeland wants to do is run with her dogs and swim in the pool this summer.

“I definitely don't have a normal 17-year-old life,” Copeland says. “I joke around saying you look in my purse and it’s not a normal 17-year-old purse. It's full of pills and medicine and all that.

“I see on Facebook my friends going out and partying and having a good time and I'm stuck at home with the oxygen.”

This week, the Go Green for Sarah-Lyn campaign launched throughout Simcoe County that hopes to raise awareness about organ and tissue donation. They’re encouraging everyone to wear green in support of the campaign, and register online at www.beadonor.ca to be an organ donor. Today in Barrie, paramedics, firefighters and dignitaries will gather to raise a flag in honour of the campaign. Businesses are decorating with green.

Go Green organizer Sherrie Logan says the campaign may name Copeland, but it’s for everyone who is waiting for an organ. Jacqueline Copeland, Sarah’s mom, has signed her card.

“As much as I would give her my organs if I could, I can’t,” she says. “To sit back and watch her deteriorate is hard.

“I really hope that she can have this happen now so she can start living the life she deserves. She deserves to run with her dogs, she deserves to swim in the pool. She deserves to have your average teenage life.”

Right now in Ontario there are over 1,400 people waiting for transplants. There are two ways to register to become a donor. You can do so through Service Ontario or at the website beadonor.ca.

It is also important to let your family know if you do decide to register.