Apple has announced iPhone users will be able to register to be an organ donor directly from the Health app with the release of iOS 10. The Cupertino firm is working with Donate Life America to offer the registration.
Through a simple sign up process, iPhone users can learn more and take action with just a few taps. All registrations submitted from iPhone are sent directly to the National Donate Life Registry managed by Donate Life America. The ability to quickly and easily become a nationally-registered donor enables people to carry their decision with them wherever they go.
“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.”
Over 120,000 American are currently waiting on an organ transplant, with a new individual added to the national transplant list ever 10 minutes.
Each organ donor can save as many as eight lives and heal many more through the gifts of tissue and eye donation. In the absence of donor registration, families are left to make the decision about donation in what is often the worst moment of their lives, the sudden and unexpected loss of a loved one.
Apple’s Health app allows iPhone users to view their health and fitness data in one place. The app also includes a Medical ID function, which makes critical health information available to emergency first responders. The information is available for viewing from the iPhone’s lock screen, and includes info about medical conditions, allergies, medications, blood type and emergency contacts.
iOS 10 is currently only available to developers for testing. A public beta testing program will be available to iOS users later this month, and iOS 10 will see a public release in the fall.
Donate Life America is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit alliance of national organizations and state teams across the United States committed to increasing organ, eye and tissue donation.
