National Kidney Foundation Statement on Organ Donation and iPhone Health App

NEW YORK, July 5, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Quotes for attribution to Kevin Longino, CEO, National Kidney Foundation (NKF)

"The announcement today by Donate Life America and Apple® to provide an organ donation sign-up process through the iPhone Health app not only marks an important step towards increasing organ donation, it further demonstrates the key role technology can play in helping solve urgent health issues.  Tapping into the way Americans use technology to reach a new audience of people who may never have considered organ donation before is a critical element to shortening the wait list. "

"Over 100,000 Americans are currently on the kidney transplant list.  With only 18,000 kidney transplants performed over the last year, the need has far outpaced the available supply.  In 2015 alone, more than 4,000 patients with kidney disease died waiting.  As an organ recipient, and on behalf of National Kidney Foundation, we applaud Donate Life America and Apple® on their use of innovative technology to help all those patients, and families, who are still waiting."

Kidney Disease Facts

1 in 3 American adults is at risk for kidney disease.  26 million American adults have kidney disease—and most aren't aware of it.  Risk factors for kidney disease include diabetes, high blood pressure, family history, and age 60+.  People of African American; Hispanic; Native American, Asian; or Pacific Islander descent are at increased risk for developing the disease.  African Americans are 3 ½ times more likely, and Hispanics 1 ½ times more likely, to experience kidney failure.

The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) is the largest, most comprehensive and longstanding organization dedicated to the awareness, prevention and treatment of kidney disease.  For more information about the NKF visit www.kidney.org.

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SOURCE National Kidney Foundation

Related Links

http://www.kidney.org