For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Patricia Hardy
Trish@restoresight.org
202-775-4999 x118
Apple & Donate Life America Bring National Organ Donor Registration to iPhone
[Washington DC] — July 5, 2016 — Apple® and Donate Life America announced today that, for the first time ever, iPhone® users will be able to sign up to be an organ, eye and tissue donor right from the Health app with the release of iOS 10 scheduled for this Fall. 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.”
“Since 1905, with the first successful cornea transplant, eye banks have utilized new technology to restore sight to tens of thousands of people in the United States, and countless more around the world, each year. Apple’s partnership with Donate Life America advances our mission by encouraging donor registration.” said Kevin Corcoran, President and CEO of the Eye Bank Association of America. “Every cornea transplant is the result of a gift from the donor or his/her family. We applaud Apple for facilitating the gift of sight.”
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.
“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.”
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.
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The Eye Bank Association of America (EBAA), established in 1961, is the oldest transplant association in the nation. EBAA sets standards, provides education, and engages in advocacy to support donation, transplantation and research. Its 80+ member eye banks operate in the United States, Canada and Asia. These eye banks made possible more than 79,000 sight-restoring corneal transplants in 2015. Compatible corneal tissue is not dependent on blood type, age, eyesight strength or eye color. To learn more, visit www.restoresight.org.