Organ donation has never been this easier. Apple, together with Donate Life America, has come up with a new feature that enables iPhone users to easily register to become a organ, eye, and tissue donors. Signing up will be via the Health app's new feature, which will debut alongside the release of iOS 10. Anyone and everyone who will sign up through the app will have their information kept by the National Donate Life Registry, which is managed by Donate Life America. This enables users to have easier access to signing up and registering to become organ, eye, and tissue donors.
According to Apple's press release, more than 120,000 Americans are on the waiting list for a transplant that could save their lives. Every 10 minutes, another individual gets added to that list, and every day, about 22 people die without ever receiving a transplant.
"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," Apple COO Jeff Williams said in the press release.
Apple CEO Tim Cook told NBC News that the issue about organ transplant hits close to home, as the company's co-founder Steve Jobs also had to go through an "excruciating" wait for a liver donor back in 2009. He eventually received a transplant in Tennessee, as the waiting list in California was too long.
"Watching and seeing him every day, waiting and not knowing—it stuck with me and left an impression that I'll never forget," Cook admitted. The iOS 10 update will feature a new Health app that will enable users to save details about their health and fitness, and save their Medical ID, a collection of data including allergies, medications, blood type and emergency contacts, which first responders can use in treating the user given an emergency. The Health app will also enable users to register to become an organ donor for Donate Life America.
iOS 10 is slated to be released this fall.