Facebook organ donation initiative gives transplant patients hope

WISN


MILWAUKEE - The world's most popular social media site has launched a bold new initiative to help save lives.

Starting Tuesday, users can use links on Facebook to become registered organ donors and share that information with family and friends online.

The founder of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, said he was moved by the site's power to help others around the world.

Zuckerberg said he understands that some people won't want to be bothered by yet another status update on their timeline, but he hopes enough connections are made to make a real impact.

Milwaukee-area transplant doctors said the Facebook effort could be a dramatic step in solving America's organ donor shortage.

Ely McNeely is still alive because he received two new lungs a little more than three years ago at Aurora St. Luke's Hospital in Milwaukee. He's cheering on the new Facebook effort.

Read more: http://www.wisn.com/news/health/Facebook-s-organ-donation-initiative-gives-transplant-patients-hope/-/9373180/12405968/-/35ekq0/-/index.html

{Register to be an organ,eye and tissue donor. To learn how, www.donatelife.net or www.organdonor.gov}