CW: Death
Over the past year, crowdfunding has changed in ways that reveal much about life in the United States. According to GoFundMe’s recent “Year in Help” report, more people than ever are using the platform to cover necessities: rent, groceries, utilities, and monthly bills. What was once a tool for creative projects or unexpected emergencies has increasingly become a lifeline for survival. The rise in these campaigns reflects widespread affordability challenges, including rising living costs, unstable employment, and overstretched safety nets that no longer meet people’s needs.
This trend is not limited to one region. GoFundMe reports similar increases across the U.S., Canada, the UK, and Australia, highlighting that the struggle to make ends meet is global. The stories behind these fundraisers show both the struggles of many people and the generosity of communities that step in when traditional systems fall short. GoFundMe and other crowdfunding platforms have provided a fascinating lens through which to view both the resilience and inequity that are part of the world’s fabric.
Unfortunately, disabled people are all too familiar with fundraising for basic needs. These fundraisers are not about extraordinary dreams or one-time emergency fundraising; they are about covering basic, everyday needs that should be covered. Medical bills, assistive technology, home modifications, and personal care are all recurring costs that insurance and government programs often fail to fully support. As a result, disabled people must rely on the generosity of strangers to meet basic needs-a harrowing prospect that reveals the cracks in our social safety nets.
One of the most heartbreaking examples of this reality is that of Shane Patrick Boyle, a writer and artist who had Type I diabetes. In 2017, Boyle moved from Texas to Arkansas to care for his dying mother. By crossing state lines, he lost his health benefits and was forced to ration his insulin.
He started a GoFundMe campaign to raise $750 for a month’s supply of insulin but fell short by just $50. Without enough insulin, Boyle developed diabetic ketoacidosis, a fatal complication, and died on March 18, 2017. His story became emblematic of the dangers of treating crowdfunding as a substitute for healthcare access, showing how fragile survival can be when dependent on donations.
I too, have used GoFundMe to pay for medical expenses. In 2021, I created a GoFundMe page for the iLevel technology on my power chair. I am eternally grateful that my community raised money for me. However, I was also saddened that insurance wouldn’t pay for iLevel.
Unfortunately, fundraising for medical expenses is all too common. According to the CEO of GoFundMe, as of 2019, approximately 33% of all donations go towards paying for medical expenses.
The statistics and the stories emphasize just how deeply embedded crowdfunding has become in society. Sadly, it is not being used as a supplement for income and insurance. Instead, it is being used as a substitute for living wages and systemic improvement.
Sources:
Gagliardo-Silver, Victoria. “Insulin Is a Human Right for Me, All Diabetics. We Need to Make Medications Free to Those Who Need It.” USA Today, Gannett Satellite Information Network, 13 Aug. 2018, http://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/voices/2018/08/13/insulin-human-right-me-all-diabetics-column/936679002/.
Martinez, Gina. “GoFundMe CEO: One-Third of Fundraisers Are for Medical Costs.” Time, Time Inc, 30 Jan. 2019, https://time.com/5516037/gofundme-medical-bills-one-third-ceo/.
Pollard, James. “More People Crowdfunded for Essential Needs like Food and Housing in 2025, According to GoFundMe.” AP News, AP News, 9 Dec. 2025, apnews.com/article/gofundme-crowdfunding-affordability-99fa9ee7434f1ba8c714aa53f9cf99b8.