Crowdfunding campaigns for the needs of people with rheumatic diseases living in Poland: a retrospective study

INTRODUCTION: Patients with rheumatic diseases may require costly treatment and continuous rehabilitation, which Internet collections may finance. We aimed to characterize medical crowdfunding campaigns for the needs of Polish people with rheumatic diseases. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We utilized data from the largest medical crowdfunding platform in Poland, Siepomaga.pl. All collections in the years 2009–2017 for the needs of people with rheumatic diseases were identified. RESULTS: Twenty-three of 2,656 collections were included (0.9%). Sixty-five and two percent of campaigns collected the financial target. The median amount of collected funds was 3,369 euros. Ten collections concerned conservative treatments (drug and/or rehabilitation), seven financed surgery, five supported the acquisition of medical equipment or its repair, and one aimed at facilitating a diagnostic consultation with a foreign specialist. CONCLUSIONS: Polish patients with rheumatic diseases collect funds via medical crowdfunding, mostly for needs not covered by public healthcare or to obtain better health services in the private sector.