California thanks Facebook for 800% boost in organ donors
Facebook today launched a new feature that lets you add whether you are an organ donor to your Timeline and share your story about when, where, or why you decided to become one. If you're not already an organ donor, Facebook gives you a link to your state or national donor registry so you can quickly enroll. The results are already coming in, starting with California.
Donate Life California posted the following update on its Facebook Page:
As of 12:30pm today, the Donate Life California registry has increased its online donor sign ups by nearly 800% from yesterday thanks to this mornings announcement of the partnership with Facebook! Thank you Facebook!
Medical experts believe broader awareness about organ donation could help solve the crisis, but public health awareness campaigns have so far failed to get people to become organ donors. Facebook is now showing that it can indeed be done.
More than 114,000 people in the U.S., and millions more around the globe, are waiting for the heart, kidney, or liver transplant that will save their lives. Facebook is giving hope to each and every one of them.
Unfortunately, the feature is only available to Facebook users in the U.S. and U.K. The good news is Facebook told me that it plans to expand the feature to additional countries in the coming weeks and months.
I'm sure Facebook will soon share data on this feature rollout that isn't limited to just one state. Hopefully the results will be promising across the board.
See also:
- Facebook adds 'life saving' organ donor feature to Timeline
- Facebook now lets you say you're an organ donor (video)
- Mark Zuckerberg: Steve Jobs, girlfriend inspired organ donor tool
- Mark Zuckerberg: Steve Jobs gave Facebook advice on focus
- 51% say Facebook making them conscious of their body, weight
- Brits: Facebook is more vital than a mobile phone, shower, toilet