2 days ago
Rising number of Aussie families rely on charity to help cover medical costs
MANY Australians may be one medical diagnosis away from financial stress or homelessness, according to GoFundMe data citing $70 million donated to medical fundraisers in 2024.
That makes medical treatment the largest category on the GoFundMe crowdfunding platform with more than 30 medical fundraisers launched across the nation every day.
Of the $70 million in donations, 75 per cent aimed to cover loss of income due to time off work and out-of-pocket costs.
The most common costs listed on medical treatment campaigns, which made up for one in five of all campaigns in Australia, were time off work, parking fees, interstate travel, out-of-pocket treatment expenses and covering rent or a mortgage.
Almost half a million Australians chipped in to medical fundraisers, donating on average $105 each.
Campaigns that mention the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) or National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) received $6.3 million in donations, a 12 per cent increase compared to 2023.
GoFundMe says that spike was in line with a 16 per cent year-on-year rise in the number of fundraisers highlighting costs not fully covered by the NDIS, such as modified vehicles, electric wheelchairs or home modifications.
The data showed donors contributed $4.9 million to fundraisers referencing mental health, showing a 16 per cent year-on-year growth, while tens of thousands also poured their support into campaigns for people impacted by strokes, a total of $3.7 million.
Nicola Britton, GoFundMe regional director, said that despite having access to a universal healthcare system, the real emotional and financial toll of serious medical diagnoses was evident every day.
"The fine line between income and out-of-pocket expenses is leaving patients and their families making impossible decisions; a choice between employment and treatment, or being with a loved one during sickness," Ms Britton said.
"This is particularly pertinent in Australia, with many having to relocate, or travel, to be closer to specialist care centres.
"It is heartening to see so many Australians embracing fundraising tools to help ease the pressure on one another in times of need."
Recently launched Hunter-specific GoFundMe campaigns include one to help Hunter Valley pilot Glenn Collins who crashed his stunt plane at Avalon Airshow in March.
Mr Collins has undergone a series of intense surgeries and was facing a long recovery, his flying teammates told the Newcastle Herald.
It is close to achieving its $90,000 target with the proceeds raised to go towards Mr Collins' medical expenses, rehabilitation, and family support.
Belmont woman Erin Healey has also started a GoFundMe campaign to benefit the family of her niece, Erin Healy.
The nine-year-old girl was undergoing a brain scan to confirm a diagnosis of cerebral palsy when a large tumour deep inside her brain was detected.
"We would like to make life a little less stressful by helping to ease the financial burden of an emergency like this, so her parents can be by her side throughout the healing process instead of having to go to work or worry about how to pay the rent and other costs associated with this condition," Ms Healey said.
MANY Australians may be one medical diagnosis away from financial stress or homelessness, according to GoFundMe data citing $70 million donated to medical fundraisers in 2024.
That makes medical treatment the largest category on the GoFundMe crowdfunding platform with more than 30 medical fundraisers launched across the nation every day.
Of the $70 million in donations, 75 per cent aimed to cover loss of income due to time off work and out-of-pocket costs.
The most common costs listed on medical treatment campaigns, which made up for one in five of all campaigns in Australia, were time off work, parking fees, interstate travel, out-of-pocket treatment expenses and covering rent or a mortgage.
Almost half a million Australians chipped in to medical fundraisers, donating on average $105 each.
Campaigns that mention the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) or National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) received $6.3 million in donations, a 12 per cent increase compared to 2023.
GoFundMe says that spike was in line with a 16 per cent year-on-year rise in the number of fundraisers highlighting costs not fully covered by the NDIS, such as modified vehicles, electric wheelchairs or home modifications.
The data showed donors contributed $4.9 million to fundraisers referencing mental health, showing a 16 per cent year-on-year growth, while tens of thousands also poured their support into campaigns for people impacted by strokes, a total of $3.7 million.
Nicola Britton, GoFundMe regional director, said that despite having access to a universal healthcare system, the real emotional and financial toll of serious medical diagnoses was evident every day.
"The fine line between income and out-of-pocket expenses is leaving patients and their families making impossible decisions; a choice between employment and treatment, or being with a loved one during sickness," Ms Britton said.
"This is particularly pertinent in Australia, with many having to relocate, or travel, to be closer to specialist care centres.
"It is heartening to see so many Australians embracing fundraising tools to help ease the pressure on one another in times of need."
Recently launched Hunter-specific GoFundMe campaigns include one to help Hunter Valley pilot Glenn Collins who crashed his stunt plane at Avalon Airshow in March.
Mr Collins has undergone a series of intense surgeries and was facing a long recovery, his flying teammates told the Newcastle Herald.
It is close to achieving its $90,000 target with the proceeds raised to go towards Mr Collins' medical expenses, rehabilitation, and family support.
Belmont woman Erin Healey has also started a GoFundMe campaign to benefit the family of her niece, Erin Healy.
The nine-year-old girl was undergoing a brain scan to confirm a diagnosis of cerebral palsy when a large tumour deep inside her brain was detected.
"We would like to make life a little less stressful by helping to ease the financial burden of an emergency like this, so her parents can be by her side throughout the healing process instead of having to go to work or worry about how to pay the rent and other costs associated with this condition," Ms Healey said.
MANY Australians may be one medical diagnosis away from financial stress or homelessness, according to GoFundMe data citing $70 million donated to medical fundraisers in 2024.
That makes medical treatment the largest category on the GoFundMe crowdfunding platform with more than 30 medical fundraisers launched across the nation every day.
Of the $70 million in donations, 75 per cent aimed to cover loss of income due to time off work and out-of-pocket costs.
The most common costs listed on medical treatment campaigns, which made up for one in five of all campaigns in Australia, were time off work, parking fees, interstate travel, out-of-pocket treatment expenses and covering rent or a mortgage.
Almost half a million Australians chipped in to medical fundraisers, donating on average $105 each.
Campaigns that mention the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) or National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) received $6.3 million in donations, a 12 per cent increase compared to 2023.
GoFundMe says that spike was in line with a 16 per cent year-on-year rise in the number of fundraisers highlighting costs not fully covered by the NDIS, such as modified vehicles, electric wheelchairs or home modifications.
The data showed donors contributed $4.9 million to fundraisers referencing mental health, showing a 16 per cent year-on-year growth, while tens of thousands also poured their support into campaigns for people impacted by strokes, a total of $3.7 million.
Nicola Britton, GoFundMe regional director, said that despite having access to a universal healthcare system, the real emotional and financial toll of serious medical diagnoses was evident every day.
"The fine line between income and out-of-pocket expenses is leaving patients and their families making impossible decisions; a choice between employment and treatment, or being with a loved one during sickness," Ms Britton said.
"This is particularly pertinent in Australia, with many having to relocate, or travel, to be closer to specialist care centres.
"It is heartening to see so many Australians embracing fundraising tools to help ease the pressure on one another in times of need."
Recently launched Hunter-specific GoFundMe campaigns include one to help Hunter Valley pilot Glenn Collins who crashed his stunt plane at Avalon Airshow in March.
Mr Collins has undergone a series of intense surgeries and was facing a long recovery, his flying teammates told the Newcastle Herald.
It is close to achieving its $90,000 target with the proceeds raised to go towards Mr Collins' medical expenses, rehabilitation, and family support.
Belmont woman Erin Healey has also started a GoFundMe campaign to benefit the family of her niece, Erin Healy.
The nine-year-old girl was undergoing a brain scan to confirm a diagnosis of cerebral palsy when a large tumour deep inside her brain was detected.
"We would like to make life a little less stressful by helping to ease the financial burden of an emergency like this, so her parents can be by her side throughout the healing process instead of having to go to work or worry about how to pay the rent and other costs associated with this condition," Ms Healey said.
MANY Australians may be one medical diagnosis away from financial stress or homelessness, according to GoFundMe data citing $70 million donated to medical fundraisers in 2024.
That makes medical treatment the largest category on the GoFundMe crowdfunding platform with more than 30 medical fundraisers launched across the nation every day.
Of the $70 million in donations, 75 per cent aimed to cover loss of income due to time off work and out-of-pocket costs.
The most common costs listed on medical treatment campaigns, which made up for one in five of all campaigns in Australia, were time off work, parking fees, interstate travel, out-of-pocket treatment expenses and covering rent or a mortgage.
Almost half a million Australians chipped in to medical fundraisers, donating on average $105 each.
Campaigns that mention the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) or National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) received $6.3 million in donations, a 12 per cent increase compared to 2023.
GoFundMe says that spike was in line with a 16 per cent year-on-year rise in the number of fundraisers highlighting costs not fully covered by the NDIS, such as modified vehicles, electric wheelchairs or home modifications.
The data showed donors contributed $4.9 million to fundraisers referencing mental health, showing a 16 per cent year-on-year growth, while tens of thousands also poured their support into campaigns for people impacted by strokes, a total of $3.7 million.
Nicola Britton, GoFundMe regional director, said that despite having access to a universal healthcare system, the real emotional and financial toll of serious medical diagnoses was evident every day.
"The fine line between income and out-of-pocket expenses is leaving patients and their families making impossible decisions; a choice between employment and treatment, or being with a loved one during sickness," Ms Britton said.
"This is particularly pertinent in Australia, with many having to relocate, or travel, to be closer to specialist care centres.
"It is heartening to see so many Australians embracing fundraising tools to help ease the pressure on one another in times of need."
Recently launched Hunter-specific GoFundMe campaigns include one to help Hunter Valley pilot Glenn Collins who crashed his stunt plane at Avalon Airshow in March.
Mr Collins has undergone a series of intense surgeries and was facing a long recovery, his flying teammates told the Newcastle Herald.
It is close to achieving its $90,000 target with the proceeds raised to go towards Mr Collins' medical expenses, rehabilitation, and family support.
Belmont woman Erin Healey has also started a GoFundMe campaign to benefit the family of her niece, Erin Healy.
The nine-year-old girl was undergoing a brain scan to confirm a diagnosis of cerebral palsy when a large tumour deep inside her brain was detected.
"We would like to make life a little less stressful by helping to ease the financial burden of an emergency like this, so her parents can be by her side throughout the healing process instead of having to go to work or worry about how to pay the rent and other costs associated with this condition," Ms Healey said.
