Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39917753›Full record

ArticleNeuro-oncology practice2025

Insights from GoFundMe posts: Analyzing GoFundMe financial aid requests from brain tumor patients in Ontario, Canada.

Kaviya Devaraja, Jonathan Avery, Yajur Iyengar, Yunyi Zhang, Seth A Climans

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Neuro-oncology practice, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Kaviya DevarajaAdolescent and Young Adult Program, Department of Supportive Care, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3433-5242
Jonathan AveryAdolescent and Young Adult Program, Department of Supportive Care, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Yajur IyengarTemerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Yunyi ZhangIndependent Researcher, Toronto, Canada.
Seth A ClimansDepartment of Oncology, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4961-237X

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Primary central nervous system (CNS) tumors significantly affect individuals globally, with patients in Ontario, Canada, often bearing financial burdens for treatments such as oral chemotherapy due to insufficient coverage, resulting in complex insurance processes or out-of-pocket payments. However, limited understanding exists regarding other direct and indirect financial implications of their diagnosis. This study examines the financial strains, unmet needs, and overarching challenges encountered by Ontario's brain tumor patients, utilizing GoFundMe posts as a unique data source to explore additional financial costs linked to CNS tumor diagnoses in the region. Methods: A qualitative descriptive design employing thematic analysis analyzed GoFundMe posts supporting CNS tumor patients in Ontario from 2014 to 2021. A search strategy targeted posts featuring primary CNS tumor keywords, with NVivo 10 software facilitating post organization and coding. Results: Focused on Ontario, the study yielded a final dataset of 154 posts from an initial pool of 9025, revealing further financial strain due to income loss among patients and caregivers. Posts highlighted various concerns: (1) navigating the complexities of accessing support services, (2) worries about family's long-term financial and overall well-being, (3) insufficient public awareness about the financial and emotional burden on those affected, and (4) seeking emotional support, hope, and encouragement from the community. Conclusions: These GoFundMe posts highlight a connection between financial burden, emotional distress, and the need for improved access to financial and emotional support services. The results emphasize distinct financial challenges faced by CNS tumor patients within Ontario's healthcare system.

Indexed as

brain tumorfinancial aidGoFundMehealthcare fundingOntario

Identifiers

PMID39917753
PMCPMC11798608

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.