Patient Crowdfunding for the Treatment of Cutaneous Malignancies

Abstract

In the cases detailed herein, diagnosis and treatment of melanomas were delayed because of both state stay at home recommendations as well as patient preference to minimize appointments. These cases were diagnosed after the shutdown in Massachusetts, which was one of the harder hit regions with the initial COVID-19 wave. At that time, personal protective equipment (PPE) and knowledge on virus transmission were limited. However, with improved COVID-19 resources, it is important to counsel patients who are nervous about seeking care, especially those with new tumors, about measures implemented to mitigate COVID-19 transmission, including PPE, staff vaccination and testing programs, and minimizing patient interactions.The COVID-19 pandemic presents new obstacles in the treatment of cancer. Delays in care are multifactorial, but identifying patients who are worried about seeking care and providing education on mitigation strategies could help to minimize delays resulting in adverse outcomes.

Online crowdfunding for medical expenses related to hidradenitis suppurativa

“…individuals, and has previously been used to fund dermatological care. 3 Our objective was to characterize HSrelated campaigns on GoFundMe, an online crowdfunding platform, and to assess for common narrative themes across campaigns. This study was considered exempt from institutional research board approval by Case Western Reserve University.…”

“…Campaigns created 31 March 2021 or earlier were included, and donation outcomes to 30 May 2021 were recorded, with the rationale being that the vast majority of funds raised by GoFundMe campaigns are collected within 2 months of creation. 3 Campaigns mentioning HS but not an HS-related fundraising goal were excluded, as were campaigns that had closed and which therefore had no donation outcomes visible. Descriptive characteristics were recorded, including patient demographics, qualitative campaign-related details, and information regarding the anticipated use of the funds.…”