The sad fact is that most Americans simply do not have the savings, funds or investments to cover the medical expenses involved with a major illness or catastrophic health event. These expenses can easily drain rainy day funds, a nest egg, retirement funds, and in severe cases may even result in the loss of property and assets such as a house or a car.
As much as we would like to believe, relying on medical insurance is also not a guarantee. Limits and restrictions can quickly be reached leaving you holding a bag full of partially paid or totally uncovered bills. We all know how devastating a diagnosis for a serious illness, health condition or a severe injury can be – never mind thinking about the financial impact that it can have. And even for the most responsible of us, planning ahead for these events is not always possible.
Fundraising for other conditions (other than cancer fundraising) has become a major need of many people facing unexpected and severe illnesses. Strokes, chronic illness, and severe injuries just to name a few can create lifelong health struggles, and lifelong financial struggles.
But how does fundraising work, and what can you do to maximize success? How do you even go about starting a fund to pay immediate bills or cover future treatments? The following strategies will help you prepare to get the most support possible with the least stress possible. You have enough stress after a bad diagnosis, financial struggle shouldn’t add to that any more than it has to.