Crowdfunding is an avenue to fund treatment costs...
Cancer diagnosis is always an unforseen and unplanned medical emergency. Indians are under-insured, Government hospitals are over-crowded and treatment at private hospitals is expensive. To fund cancer treatment, people resort to selling land, pawning jewellery and borrowing heavily, all of which push millions into poverty every year. While thatis the situation of the underprivileged, even middle classes feel the crush, when their insurance coverage gets exhausted.
Crowdfunding works on the principle that a little bit from everyone can be a lot for someone. Small contributions from many donors do add-up to targeted sums. It is the 'Feel Good' factor which prompts donors to come forward to fund medical treatment of strangers. Often, donors put themselves in the shoes of the cancer-afflicted and realise that they too could be in a similar situation.
Salient features of crowdfunding platforms in India...
Crowdfunding platforms active in India are listed in 'Whom Can You Contact?' section below. Submission to these portals is a simple process and doesn't need any technical knowledge. A smartphone is all that is needed. The portals have personal fundraiser experts to help those who are not tech-savvy.
To start-off, the selected website is to be accessed and fundraising page is to be set up. Photos, videos and medical documents are to be uploaded. The fundraiser campaign has to be shared with family, friends and generous strangers via social media.
Do note that the medical documents and cost estimates must be issued by the treating hospital. The money raised will be directly transferred to the hospital. Most of the platforms deduct around 5% as success fee, towards reimbursement of their costs.
Crowdfunding is an avenue to fund treatment costs...
Cancer diagnosis is always an unforseen and unplanned medical emergency. Indians are under-insured, Government hospitals are over-crowded and treatment at private hospitals is expensive. To fund cancer treatment, people resort to selling land, pawning jewellery and borrowing heavily, all of which push millions into poverty every year. While thatis the situation of the underprivileged, even middle classes feel the crush, when their insurance coverage gets exhausted.
Crowdfunding works on the principle that a little bit from everyone can be a lot for someone. Small contributions from many donors do add-up to targeted sums. It is the 'Feel Good' factor which prompts donors to come forward to fund medical treatment of strangers. Often, donors put themselves in the shoes of the cancer-afflicted and realise that they too could be in a similar situation.
Salient features of crowdfunding platforms in India...
Crowdfunding platforms active in India are listed in 'Whom Can You Contact?' section below. Submission to these portals is a simple process and doesn't need any technical knowledge. A smartphone is all that is needed. The portals have personal fundraiser experts to help those who are not tech-savvy.
To start-off, the selected website is to be accessed and fundraising page is to be set up. Photos, videos and medical documents are to be uploaded. The fundraiser campaign has to be shared with family, friends and generous strangers via social media.
Do note that the medical documents and cost estimates must be issued by the treating hospital. The money raised will be directly transferred to the hospital. Most of the platforms deduct around 5% as success fee, towards reimbursement of their costs.