With the release of iOS 10 this fall, organ donors can sign up using the Health app, Apple and Donate Life America have announced today. This process is currently limited to US-based iPhone owners who sign up to be an organ, eye, and tissue donor.
According to the press release, the sign-up will be a simple process, and all registrations done via the Health app will be sent directly to the National Donate Life Registry managed by Donate Life America.
“On average, one person dies every hour in the United States waiting for an organ transplant because the demand for lifesaving transplants far exceeds the available supply of organs — and one donor can save as many as eight lives,” said David Fleming, President & CEO of Donate Life America. “By working with Apple to bring the National Donate Life Registry to the Health app on iPhone, we’re making it easier for people to find out about organ, eye and tissue donation and quickly register. This is a huge step forward that will ultimately help save lives.”
By signing up as an organ donor, US-based iPhone owners can save as many as eight lives and help many more through the gifts of tissue and eye donation, the press release notes. Over 120,000 Americans are currently waiting for a life-saving transplant, and every 10 minutes a new individual is added to the national transplant waiting list.
“Apple’s mission has always been to create products that transform people’s lives. With the updated Health app, we’re providing education and awareness about organ donation and making it easier than ever to register. It’s a simple process that takes just a few seconds and could help save up to eight lives,” said Jeff Williams, Apple’s chief operating officer. “Together with Donate Life America, we’re excited to deliver this new feature to iPhone users in the US with iOS 10.”
Currently, the Health app is a place where users can view their health and fitness data in one place. It also includes a feature called Medical ID, which can be useful in case of emergency, as it contains critical health information about the user.
