How ‘Bout Them Apples?!
The Apple® Health App update will soon put the power to create a lifesaving legacy quite literally into the hands of iPhone® users everywhere, thanks to a new partnership just announced by Apple and Donate Life America. With the release of iOS 10 expected this Fall, iPhone® users will have the ability to sign up to be an organ, eye and tissue donor right from the Health app on their device. Through a simple, secure sign up process, iPhone users can learn more and take action with just a few taps. All registrations submitted from iPhone are sent directly and securely to the National Donate Life Registry managed by Donate Life America.
The ability to quickly and easily become a nationally-registered donor is a complement to registration through the state’s Donate Life Texas organ, eye and tissue donor registry. Both registrations can be accessed by and will be honored by donation professionals nationwide.
More than 8 million Texans have already registered just by saying ‘yes’ to donation while getting a Texas driver’s license or ID, demonstrating the importance of making registration easy and convenient.
“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.”
Over 120,000 Americans are currently waiting for a lifesaving transplant — and every 10 minutes, a new individual is added to the national transplant waiting list. 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.
The Health app on iPhone provides a complete view of your health and fitness data all in one place. The app includes Medical ID, which makes critical health information available in case of emergency to first responders and is accessible from the iPhone lock screen. Medical ID can display categories like medical conditions, allergies, medications, blood type, and emergency contacts. And with iOS 10, Medical ID offers the ability to register as an organ, eye and tissue donor with Donate Life America.
Availability
The developer preview of iOS 10 is currently available to iOS Developer Program members at developer.apple.com, and a public beta program will be available to iOS users this month at beta.apple.com. For more information, visit apple.com/ios/ios10-preview.
About Donate Life America
Donate Life Texas is part of the Donate Life America not-for-profit alliance of national organizations and local partners across the United States, serving as a national voice and inspiring all people to save and enhance lives through organ, eye and tissue donation.
