Association of Neighborhood Deprivation Index With Success in Cancer Care Crowdfunding

Silver, Elisabeth R.; Truong, Han; Ostvar, Sassan; Hur, Chin; Tatonetti, Nicholas P.

doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.26946

Cited by 30 publications

(46 citation statements)

References 48 publications

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“…Although web-based crowdfunding raises millions of dollars, our study suggests that it may function as a financial safety net for a limited subset of beneficiaries. First, there is ample evidence that crowdfunding success disproportionately benefits those in areas with high socioeconomic status and those with the internet and media literacy necessary to portray beneficiaries as worthy [ 6 , 21 - 23 ]. Second, medical expenses alone due to COVID-19 in the United States are estimated to be in excess of $163 billion if 20% of the population is infected (on August 26, 2020, approximately 1.8% of the population had a confirmed infection) [ 24 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Early Crowdfunding Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Cross-sectional Study

Saleh¹,

Lehmann²,

Medford³

2021

J Med Internet Res

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Background As the number of COVID-19 cases increased precipitously in the United States, policy makers and health officials marshalled their pandemic responses. As the economic impacts multiplied, anecdotal reports noted the increased use of web-based crowdfunding to defray these costs. Objective We examined the web-based crowdfunding response in the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States to understand the incidence of initiation of COVID-19–related campaigns and compare them to non–COVID-19–related campaigns. Methods On May 16, 2020, we extracted all available data available on US campaigns that contained narratives and were created between January 1 and May 10, 2020, on GoFundMe. We identified the subset of COVID-19–related campaigns using keywords relevant to the COVID-19 pandemic. We explored the incidence of COVID-19–related campaigns by geography, by category, and over time, and we compared the characteristics of the campaigns to those of non–COVID-19–related campaigns after March 11, when the pandemic was declared. We then used a natural language processing algorithm to cluster campaigns by narrative content using overlapping keywords. Results We found that there was a substantial increase in overall GoFundMe web-based crowdfunding campaigns in March, largely attributable to COVID-19–related campaigns. However, as the COVID-19 pandemic persisted and progressed, the number of campaigns per COVID-19 case declined more than tenfold across all states. The states with the earliest disease burden had the fewest campaigns per case, indicating a lack of a case-dependent response. COVID-19–related campaigns raised more money, had a longer narrative description, and were more likely to be shared on Facebook than other campaigns in the study period. Conclusions Web-based crowdfunding appears to be a stopgap for only a minority of campaigners. The novelty of an emergency likely impacts both campaign initiation and crowdfunding success, as it reflects the affective response of a community. Crowdfunding activity likely serves as an early signal for emerging needs and societal sentiment for communities in acute distress that could be used by governments and aid organizations to guide disaster relief and policy.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Early Crowdfunding Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic: Cross-sectional Study

Saleh¹,

Lehmann²,

Medford³

2021

J Med Internet Res

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“…This load has been shown to lead to increased medication non‐adherence, reduced frequency of care visits, and increased symptomatology affecting quality of life 8,9 . Existing crowdfunding literature demonstrates that cancer patients fundraise online for a variety of different reasons, and differentially benefit those from higher socioeconomic backgrounds 10,11 . While multiple factors may impact cancer patient's crowdfunding; there is a paucity of data evaluating campaigns for urologic cancers.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…With the rising financial burden of kidney cancer care in the US, patients and their families may turn to crowdfunding platforms to cover associated costs 10 . GoFundMe® is a widely‐known crowdfunding platform where one‐third of campaigns are health‐related, and is most commonly referenced in preceding crowdfunding literature 10,11,20 …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“… 8 , 9 Existing crowdfunding literature demonstrates that cancer patients fundraise online for a variety of different reasons, and differentially benefit those from higher socioeconomic backgrounds. 10 , 11 While multiple factors may impact cancer patient's crowdfunding; there is a paucity of data evaluating campaigns for urologic cancers.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“… 10 GoFundMe® is a widely‐known crowdfunding platform where one‐third of campaigns are health‐related, and is most commonly referenced in preceding crowdfunding literature. 10 , 11 , 20 …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Characterizing online crowdfunding campaigns for patients with kidney cancer

et al. 2021

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Background Cancer patients incur high care costs; however, there is a paucity of literature characterizing unmet financial obligations for patients with urologic cancers. Kidney cancer patients are particularly burdened by costs associated with novel systemic treatments. This study aimed to ascertain the characteristics of GoFundMe® crowdfunding campaigns for patients with kidney cancer, in order to better understand the financial needs of this population. Methods We performed a cross‐sectional, quantitative, and qualitative analysis of all kidney cancer GoFundMe® campaigns since 2010. Fundraising metrics such as goal funds and amount raised, were extracted. Eight independent investigators collected patient, disease and campaign‐level variables from campaign stories (κ = 0.72). In addition, we performed a content analysis of campaign narratives spotlighting the primary appeal of the patient's life story. Results A total of 486 GoFundMe® kidney cancer campaigns were reviewed. The median goal funds were 10,000USD [IQR = 5000, 20,000] and the median amount raised was 1450USD [IQR = 578, 4050]. Most campaigns were for adult males (53%) and 62% of adults had children. A minority were for pediatric patients (17%). Thirty‐seven percent of adult patients were primary wage earners and 43% reported losing their job or substantially reducing hours due to illness. Twenty‐nine percent reported no insurance or insufficient coverage. Campaigns most frequently sought funds for medical bills (60%), nonmedical bills (27%), and medical travel (23%). Qualitative campaign narratives mostly emphasized patients’ hardship (46.3%) or high moral character (35.2%). Only 8% of campaigns achieved their target funds. Conclusions Despite fundraising efforts, patients with kidney cancer face persistent financial barriers, incurring both medical and nonmedical cost burdens. This may be compounded by limited or no insurance. Cancer care providers should be aware of financial constraints placed on kidney cancer patients, and consider how these may impact treatment regimens.

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