
The new update was inspired by Apple co-founder Steve Jobs' own need for a liver transplant in 2009 in the hope more people will sign up as organ donators.
Organ donations save thousands of lives and Apple will hopefully up those numbers after it announced they will add a new feature to the Health app during the next iOS 10 iPhone update.
Collaborating with Donate Life America, Apple will allows iPhone users to easily and quickly sign up to the National Donate Life Registry. The move has come after indications of a national shortage of organ donations in the United States. Despite 120 million people having already signed up to become a donator, there are around 120,000 people waiting for a transplant. Allowing people easy access to sign up will hopefully create more opportunities for people desperately needing organs to receive them.
According to Apple’s press release, David Fleming, President & CEO of Donate Life America stated, “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.”
The decision to add this feature for iPhone users was inspired by Apple co-founder Steve Jobs’ own wait for a liver transplant. He noticed a real need for more people to be more aware and able to become organ donors. Jobs sadly passed away from pancreatic cancer while waiting for a donation to come through.
The update will be implemented in the fall and aims to also create awareness and education to iPhone users about organ donation as well as the opportunity to sign up.
“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.”
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