A significant number of cancer survivors are increasingly relying on crowdfunding to finance their treatment and living expenses, according to a recent study published in the November 2025 issue of the Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. Despite this growing trend, only one in nine campaigns achieved their fundraising targets, raising questions about the effectiveness of such efforts in providing meaningful support.
Lead researcher Jason Zheng, a senior principal scientist of health services research at the American Cancer Society, highlighted the study’s findings in a recent news release. He noted that while the use of crowdfunding is on the rise, the gap between financial assistance requested and what is actually received is substantial, indicating significant unmet financial needs among cancer survivors in the United States.
For the analysis, researchers employed artificial intelligence to examine over 78,000 cancer-related fundraising stories on GoFundMe from January 2021 to February 2023. They collected donation records for a 90-day period following each campaign’s launch. The results revealed that nearly 4.5 million donations contributed to a total of $506 million raised; however, this amount represented less than 35% of the total financial assistance requested, which amounted to nearly $1.5 billion.
The study identified that the median fundraising goal set by campaigns was $10,000, while the median amount raised was only $4,000. This disparity indicates that many individuals sought more financial help than they were able to secure. Remarkably, less than 12% of campaigns met their goals within the 90-day timeframe.
Although cancer-related crowdfunding campaigns collectively raised millions of dollars, this amount constitutes less than 5% of the estimated annual out-of-pocket costs faced by patients. Zheng emphasized the necessity for robust public health policies to ensure affordable healthcare for all cancer patients, as relying solely on the private market may provide limited relief.
Certain types of cancer appeared to attract more financial assistance through crowdfunding. Cancers such as pancreatic, blood, and brain cancers, which are among the most expensive to treat, were noted to have higher success rates in fundraising. In contrast, the most commonly diagnosed cancers did not generate the same level of financial support.
The researchers pointed out that for individuals with a cancer history, out-of-pocket costs are projected to continue rising as treatment expenses climb and health insurers increasingly shift costs onto patients. Approximately 12% of cancer survivors in the United States live in poverty, and two-thirds of adult survivors and their family members with medical debt have reported cutting back on essentials such as food and clothing.
The findings of this study underscore the financial vulnerability faced by cancer survivors and highlight the inadequacies of existing support mechanisms. The widespread reliance on crowdfunding for medical care and basic needs, coupled with the high rates of unmet fundraising goals, paints a concerning picture of the financial landscape for those battling cancer in the United States.
In conclusion, while crowdfunding may offer a temporary solution for some, long-term systemic changes in healthcare funding and support are essential to alleviate the financial burdens experienced by cancer survivors. More information can be found in the study conducted by Zhiyuan Zheng and colleagues titled “Cancer-Related Crowdfunding Economy in the United States,” available in the Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network.
