Facebook has announced a new organ donor feature that it claims could save lives.
Starting today, Facebook users can add an organ donor status to their timelines, and share the story about when, where or why they decided to become a donor. If you’re not already registered with your state or national registry and want to be, you’ll find a link to the official donor registry there as well.
In a post on Facebook’s official newsfeed signed by ‘Mark and Sheryl’ the company states: “We believe that by simply telling people that you’re an organ donor, the power of sharing and connection can play an important role.”
Mark Zuckerberg is to appear on ABC’s Good Morning America this morning and Facebook COO, Sheryl Sandberg will talk later on the World News program about the personal stories that led Facebook to release the new tool.
In December, Facebook launched a program called “Lifeline” that lets friends alert the social network when their friends express suicidal thoughts. In that case, Facebook sends an email to the comment’s author directing them to a telephone hotline or a link they can click to start a confidential chat.
