Sarah Hyland, the young actress who plays Haley on "Modern Family" revealed in Good Morning America that she had a kidney transplant last month.

The 21-year-old actress said she will recover from the surgery this summer while "Modern Family" takes a break from filming.

"Know that you're not alone. Even though it may seem like it a lot of the time. And that if you ask, 'Why me?' Well, why not you? You know? It makes you the person that you are today."

The young actress also appears on the latest issue of the magazine "Seventeen" where she also addresses her illness.

She said the whole experience made her realize family and friends are the most important in life.

"You know that family is always going to be there for you – no matter what. My dad gave me a freakin’ kidney!" Sarah told the magazine. "But it's also the families that you create outside of your family. And you really find out what kind of people you're friends with."

"It was just amazing," she adds, "and it really opened my eyes to see who's there for me and who's not."

Hyland was diagnosed with abnormal kidney development at age nine. She said she felt exhausted or in pain.

She began seeking for an organ donor and her father, actor Edward James Hyland, was a match.

She received his dad's kidney.

Hyland's first role was as Howard Stern's daughter in "Private Parts." She won a Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Ensemble in a Comedy Series with "Modern Family" cast.

Hyland is dating and living with actor Matt Prokop whom she met while auditioning for High School Musical 3: Senior Year.

They co-starred in the "Geek Charming" movie by Disney.