Apple adding organ donor registration to the iPhone

Apple is partnering with Donate Life America in a push to simplify the process of signing up to be an organ or tissue donor.

When iOS10, the next update to the iPhone and iPad's operating system rolls out in September, the Health app will allow users to add their names to the National Donate Life Registry for organ donations. And, because a smartphone is a mobile device, owners will have proof of their decision wherever they go.

"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.

In the US, a new person is added to the organ donor waiting list on average every ten minutes. The problem is that the list already contains 120,000 names.

"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."