Apple to make becoming organ donor easier through health app

Signing up to be an organ donor is now just a few smartphone swipes away.

Apple is now making it easier than ever to register to be an organ donor.

In 2014, San Francisco resident Aubrey Brewster had a liver transplant. He had been on a waiting list at CPMC for nine months

"There's not a day that goes by that I don't count my blessings for that," Brewster said.

"I had an icon on the front of my iBook, I had an icon that said my funeral,'" Brewster said. Ultimately, he had to go to New Orleans to receive the organ that saved his life.

In 2009, Apple co-founder Steve Jobs also went out of state to receive a liver transplant. CEO Tim Cook says Jobs' "excruciating wait is what inspired him to create a new feature on the iPhone."

Now Apple has announced a new feature on the iPhone aimed at getting more people to register as organ donors. iPhone users will be able to sign up with the national registry within the health app, which comes standard on the phone.

"Technology moves so fast, you just, it's in the palm of your hand. There's just no more excuses now, right?" said Noel Sanchez of the Donor Network West.

There are more than 120,000 people waiting nationally for a life-saving organ. Donors are desperately needed.

"It's fantastic to see everyone rolling up their sleeves and taking a team approach to try an combat this donor shortage in the country," said CPMC department of transplant chair Robert Osorio.

Brewster says the iPhone feature will be a powerful tool.

"Steve Jobs left a legacy," Brewster said.

The new feature will be available in the fall with iOS 10.