Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg recently uncovered an initiative that aims to multiply the number of organ donors in the US. His aim is to use the platform and other market leading social networks such as Twitter and LinkedIn to link donors with persons who require organ transplants. While unveiling the initiative, Mark Zuckerberg became the first user to register on Facebook as a potential organ donor.
What this means is that registered users on Facebook in both the US and UK can now point out on their timelines that they are organ donors. What’s more is that, in case they are not yet donors they will be able to locate links that will direct them to the certified organ donation registry where they will be able to enlist as organ donors.
Mark Zuckerberg’s Interest in Organ Donation
While launching the initiative, founder Mark Zuckerberg stated that the network is not just about communicating with others and narrating interesting stories. He went on to state that users on Facebook and other social networks can be handy in spreading awareness in regards to organ donation by participating in it and involving their friends. This in turn will assist in solving the looming crisis of organ donor shortage.
Mark Zuckerberg stated that he was driven to unveil the initiative by some of the conversations he had with his girlfriend. Interestingly, Mark’s girlfriend is a medical student and was a dear friend to Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple, who managed to live longer on this planet as a result of liver transplant.
How the Initiative Works
To make the program simple, Mark stated that all that a person has to do is state the state or nation they are from and they will be automatically directed to certified registries. There is already a health and awareness segment on the network where users can effortlessly record their standing as potential organ donors. They can also utilize the same tool to clarify to their friends the choice they have taken in a bid to increase awareness in respect to the need for organ donors.
Why You Should Become Part of the Initiative
According to a recent statistic, it was found that there are roughly over 150,000 people in the US and millions of others around the world who are in dire need for a heart, liver, lung and kidney transplant. Mark stated that these lives can be saved if only people were to make themselves available as potential organ donors. During the launch which was also attended by Facebook Chief Operating Officer, Sheryl Sandberg, it was stated that approximately 18 persons die each day because of shortage of accessible organs.
Donate Life America, an NGO in the United States that is partnering with Facebook on this initiative extended their gratitude to founder Mark Zuckerberg for seeing that there is a need for organ donors and taking a step in making it happen. They went on to state the tens of thousands of lives will be saved as a result of this noble initiative.
Therefore, you too can today become an organ donor by taking some time off to update your timeline. All you have to do is enroll as a donor and share your choice with colleagues, friends and family members. By doing so, you will be giving hope to millions of people who are in need of an organ.











Twitter: equality4new
says:
I think that by using social networks to rally support for organ donation as well as blood donation is an excellent idea. The more awareness and peer support that an issue accumulates the broader the amount of band-wagoners. Organ and blood donations are crucial to a healthy system of health care. If no one wanted to donate organs and blood a lot of lives would be lost annually. In essence, it’s not what you can do for just yourself, but for others. Who knows, you could need a new kidney tomorrow….
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Hey Russel
Its a very good thing to use social networking for organ donation and blood donation. With the increasing number of the users of these sites, this can really help the needy ones.
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Thanks for the share Russel. Using social networking sites to link donors with persons who require organ transplants is indisputably a commendable idea. Using social media to spread awareness about organ donation by participating in it and involving our friends will indeed be helpful. I am sure it will help us confront the looming crisis of organ donor shortage. Gifting someone a life can bring content and happiness that can never be penned down . Wonderful share.
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