Introduction: This study aims to characterize patients undergoing solid organ transplants (heart, lung, liver, and kidney) who utilize crowdfunding platforms, including GoFundMe, by examining their financial needs, goals, and the characteristics that make certain fundraisers more successful.
Methods: GoFundMe fundraisers were the respective terms "heart,” “lung,” “liver” and “kidney transplant." Details were collected about fundraisers in America including monetary status, beneficiary demographics, and campaign characteristics. Single-variable analysis was used to assess factors contributing to extremely successful (≥70%), successful (≥50%), and unsuccessful fundraisers (≤25% of funding goal).
Results: 1324 campaigns met inclusion criteria. The majority of beneficiaries described in fundraisers were older adults aged over 50 (63.8%), white (72.9%), and male (39.0%). The average amount raised was $10,701.54 with an average goal amount of $30,365.69. There were an average of 113 donors per campaign donating an average of $81.53. 203 fundraisers (15.2%) attained 70% of their goal, 309 fundraisers were more than 50% funded (23%), and 812 fundraisers (61%) were less than 10% funded of their goal. Highly successful and successful fundraisers had significantly lower average goal amounts, with an average of $15,629.37 (p=0.002). Fundraisers with higher word counts (P=0.006), providing photos with smiles (p=0.003), a flattering photo (p=0.04), a photo using medical equipment (p=0.03), or positively appraising the beneficiary (p=0.04) were associated with achieving a greater percentage of funding. Including the word “COVID” (p=0.007) or mentioning religion (p=0.04) in the description was associated with less than 25% funding.

Conclusions: This is the largest analysis of crowdfunding for solid organ transplants to date. The utilization of crowdfunding is vigorous and trending upwards. Patients can be counseled on the benefits of these platforms, risks of personal and medical privacy loss, and characteristics of successful campaigns.