RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 The Use of Crowdfunding to Support Radiation Therapy Cancer Treatments
JF Anticancer Research
JO Anticancer Res
FD International Institute of Anticancer Research
SP 3759
OP 3767
DO 10.21873/anticanres.15168
VO 41
IS 8
A1 PRABHU, ARPAN V.
A1 BIMALI, MILAN
A1 MILJANIC, MIHAILO
A1 KAY, HANNAH
A1 SANDOW, LYNDSEY
A1 ZHANG, MICHELLE
A1 MUMFORD, KELSEY
A1 SHAH, DARSH
A1 CLUMP, DAVID A.
A1 SKINNER, HEATH D.
A1 LEWIS, GARY D.
YR 2021
UL http://ar.iiarjournals.org/content/41/8/3759.abstract
AB Background/Aim: The purpose of this study was to assess patients’ use of a crowdfunding platform to raise funds for radiation treatment and to better understand the direct and indirect costs associated with treatments. Materials and Methods: The GoFundMe crowdfunding database was queried for four unique categories related to radiation treatment campaigns. Covariates identified included clinical and demographic variables, and associations between amount raised and these predictors were analyzed using a generalized linear model. Results: While 56% percent of campaigns cited direct costs associated with treatment, 73.4% of campaigns cited indirect costs related to treatment. Indirect expenses related to travel (31.7%) as well as living expenses (29.2%) were cited most often across all four treatment categories. Conclusion: This study enhances understanding regarding patients use of crowdfunding for radiation treatment. Increased focus should be placed on discussing the indirect costs of care with patients and their families.