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I'm not a huge fan of it, but I suppose other folks can do what they want. I like kickstarter a little better - because there it is more of a venture capitalism project where you are trying to get people to buy in to some idea and they donate based on their belief or interest in the idea and sometimes getting some reward or benefit out of their investment rather than folks asking for free money for everything under the sun.
It makes me uncomfortable because there is no verification. I can start a GoFundMe page with a picture of my dying child, when that child doesn't even exist. I can then take the funds and go see Paris.
It makes me uncomfortable because there is no verification. I can start a GoFundMe page with a picture of my dying child, when that child doesn't even exist. I can then take the funds and go see Paris.
It's sad really. Searching "fake gofundme" comes back with soooooo many different hits. I don't think I would ever donate through the site. If I'm going to give to someone, I would rather give to them in person. But we live in a world where everything has to be accomplished by clicking.
GoFundMe requests don't bother me at all, and in fact, I think it's a great idea. I've donated to a couple of medical related requests for help from people I know. One was the daughter of a coach at my daughter's school. Both parents were teachers and the little girl has a form of brain cancer. Their out of pocket costs were going to be in excess of $20,000. I was happy to help out.
Another adult daughter of a friend has to have heart surgery for a congenital defect and again was looking at many thousands in co-pays. I have no problem making a donation.
Another woman I know has cancer and she's receiving injections to increase her platelet count and each injection has an $1,800 copay. She and her husband both work and have 2 kids. If someone started a GFM campaign on her behalf I'd gladly contribute.
I think it's odd that the same people who blast welfare recipients for receiving aid also disapprove of GoFundMe campaigns, because I thought an argument against welfare was that churches and other community organizations exist to help people in need. Or maybe they just don't believe anyone ever has a real need.
I see lots of requests I don't respond to, and I would never contribute to a stranger, but if I know someone is in real need and is facing crushing debt, I apply the Golden Rule and help them out.
I'm not a huge fan of it, but I suppose other folks can do what they want. I like kickstarter a little better - because there it is more of a venture capitalism project where you are trying to get people to buy in to some idea and they donate based on their belief or interest in the idea and sometimes getting some reward or benefit out of their investment rather than folks asking for free money for everything under the sun.
Agree with the support of Kickstarter. We've contributed to a successful Kickstarter campaign. The difference is the purpose of the websites. Kickstarter tends to be for start-up ideas (business). GoFundMe tends to be for anything under the sun (personal needs).
A very dear friend's teenager has just been diagnosed with bone cancer. A group of friends, with the mom's approval, is starting a gofundme page. For some reason this makes me very uncomfortable, asking friends for money. I'm sure a large part of it is my age, 45+, and another part is I grew up with the idea that finances were private. Am I the only one?
I understand it's my decision to donate or not.
Also, does anyone have a ballpark what cancer treatment costs if a family has the average private health insurance policy?
This one wouldn't bother me at all. Cancer costs get to be huge.
When I see them for cars, honeymoons, etc, I think its extremely tacky. But this family will likely have costs that you can't imagine.
A very dear friend's teenager has just been diagnosed with bone cancer. A group of friends, with the mom's approval, is starting a gofundme page. For some reason this makes me very uncomfortable, asking friends for money. I'm sure a large part of it is my age, 45+, and another part is I grew up with the idea that finances were private. Am I the only one?
I understand it's my decision to donate or not.
Also, does anyone have a ballpark what cancer treatment costs if a family has the average private health insurance policy?
The cost of cancer isn't just the outright medical expenses. It's not being able to serve food normally, not able to have a normal schedule, etc.
Out of pocket expenses can be huge, and since treatment is so expensive, just the % the family must pay that insurance doesn't cover can also be huge.
GOFUNDME for REAL life-altering events doesn't bother me at all.
I see you have not been faced with watching your child fight cancer. Parents with a HEART would do ANYTHING to try to save the child's life. If that means "begging," they'd do it and with head held high. I'd do ANYTHING for my child.
The slackers and nuts on gofundme p*ss me off. They are going to ruin it for those who really need it.
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