Abstract/Description/Artist Statement

Introduction

Craniosynostosis surgery costs can be as high as 100,000 dollars. Even with complete insurance coverage, patients often face large out-of-pocket expenses. Thus, patients seek other financial resources. As a crowdfunding platform, GoFundMe (GFM) is one of those resources. The objective of our study was to identify GFM campaign factors associated with greater fundraising success.

Methods

GoFundMe.com was queried for: craniosynostosis, synostosis, brachycephaly, trigonocephaly, scaphocephaly, and fused skull suture. Included campaigns had patients in the U.S. fundraising for craniosynostosis surgery or related expenses. Excluded campaigns were duplicates, for animals, helmets, charities, or other surgeries. Successful campaigns achieved third quartile of percent goal met; non-successful did not. Significance was p< 0.05.

Results

446 campaigns were analyzed: 112 successful and 334 non-successful. Successful and non-successful campaigns requested median $5,000 (IQR, 2,000, 8,875) and $10,000 (IQR, 5,000, 15,000), respectively. Successful received median 59 (IQR, 31, 110) donations while non-successful received median 36 (IQR, 21, 59). Campaigns with higher number of donations had significantly greater odds of being successful (aOR, 1.06; 95%CI, 1.04, 1.07). Campaigns with photos of the patient in the hospital had significantly greater odds of being successful (aOR, 3.12; 95%CI, 1.12, 8.72). Patients who reported no insurance coverage or surgeon not accepting their insurance had lower odds of success (aOR, 0.03; 95%CI, 0.00, 0.76). SESPRS region’s campaigns did not demonstrate greater odds of success.

 

Conclusion

Our study showed that number of donations, photos in the hospital, and type of insurance coverage are associated with either higher or lower odds of campaign success.

Presenting Author Name/s

Annarose Taylor

Faculty Advisor/Mentor

Yifan Guo

Faculty Advisor/Mentor Email

Yifan.Guo@chkd.org

Faculty Advisor/Mentor Department

Plastic & Oral Maxillofacial Surgery, Children’s Hospital of the Kings’ Daughters

College/School Affiliation

Eastern Virginia School of Medicine

Student Level Group

Medical

Presentation Type

Poster

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Factors for Successful Craniosynostosis Surgery GoFundMe Campaigns

Introduction

Craniosynostosis surgery costs can be as high as 100,000 dollars. Even with complete insurance coverage, patients often face large out-of-pocket expenses. Thus, patients seek other financial resources. As a crowdfunding platform, GoFundMe (GFM) is one of those resources. The objective of our study was to identify GFM campaign factors associated with greater fundraising success.

Methods

GoFundMe.com was queried for: craniosynostosis, synostosis, brachycephaly, trigonocephaly, scaphocephaly, and fused skull suture. Included campaigns had patients in the U.S. fundraising for craniosynostosis surgery or related expenses. Excluded campaigns were duplicates, for animals, helmets, charities, or other surgeries. Successful campaigns achieved third quartile of percent goal met; non-successful did not. Significance was p< 0.05.

Results

446 campaigns were analyzed: 112 successful and 334 non-successful. Successful and non-successful campaigns requested median $5,000 (IQR, 2,000, 8,875) and $10,000 (IQR, 5,000, 15,000), respectively. Successful received median 59 (IQR, 31, 110) donations while non-successful received median 36 (IQR, 21, 59). Campaigns with higher number of donations had significantly greater odds of being successful (aOR, 1.06; 95%CI, 1.04, 1.07). Campaigns with photos of the patient in the hospital had significantly greater odds of being successful (aOR, 3.12; 95%CI, 1.12, 8.72). Patients who reported no insurance coverage or surgeon not accepting their insurance had lower odds of success (aOR, 0.03; 95%CI, 0.00, 0.76). SESPRS region’s campaigns did not demonstrate greater odds of success.

 

Conclusion

Our study showed that number of donations, photos in the hospital, and type of insurance coverage are associated with either higher or lower odds of campaign success.