Facebook Encouraging Users to Become Organ Donors

Love it or hate it, there's no denying that Facebook has become a part of our lives. And now, some Facebook executives are hoping it can help save a life.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerburg has announced a new tool that will let users display whether or not they are organ donors. Users will indicate of the Timeline when they made the decision, and can add a status update or video explaining their decision. If a user is not already an organ donor, the tool provides a link for users to sign up with their local donor registry.

Zuckerberg told ABC News' Robin Roberts that the initiative aims to bring the power of social media to a problem that continues to plague organ transplantation -- too many people who need organs and not enough who donate.

"What we hope will happen is that by just having this simple tool, we think that people can really help spread awareness of organ donation and that they want to participate in this to their friends," Zuckerberg said. "That can be a big part of helping solve the crisis that's out there."

When you think about it, it's not a bad idea. There are thousands of people stuck on a waiting list for organ donations, some of which never receive the transplants they need. But there are tens of thousands of people, if not more, who use Facebook. That's a huge number of potential donors who would be willing to help save a life.

Sometimes, it's not a bad thing for social media to promote social activism.