While we’re still far away from finding an actual cure for cancer, it’s undeniable that the world has made progress in treating this devastating disease. With new research and drugs being developed to combat cancer every day, many patients are finding themselves with better prognoses and improved quality of life – many, but not all.
The thing is, with rare forms of cancer, it’s unlikely that patients will find the care they need close to home, leaving them to rely on treatments from abroad. But not everyone can afford that. It’s why some cancer patients have turned to more unconventional means of crowdfunding, with some even launching their own humanitarian campaigns for the greater good.
Cancer and the World
Cancer is one of the most common diseases in the world, and one in five individuals will develop it in their lifetime.
In spite of its prevalence, the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) states that the global burden of cancer is growing, driven by a lack of services in many countries – an issue that disproportionately affects underserved communities.
In fact, one WHO survey on universal health coverage shows that only 39% of participating countries cover basic cancer care as part of their core health services, a plight that is partially reflected in the struggles of cancer patients like viral streamer Raivo Plavnieks.
Humanitarian Initiatives
When patients have to seek medical care away from home, it’s often expensive – and this is especially true if they happen to have cancer, which requires prolonged, specialized treatment and costly drugs that aren’t covered by health insurance. That’s why crowdfunding has become so common among cancer patients who aren’t fortunate enough to have access to the treatment they need in their country.
Plavnieks is one of the unlucky ones. He’s currently combating stage 4 high-grade sarcoma, an extremely rare and aggressive form of cancer that develops in the bone and soft tissues. He required immediate chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery, but the treatments were unavailable in his home country of Latvia, and he was forced to seek care abroad. Initially unable to afford travel expenses and medical costs, he reached out online and received donations that allowed him to access the care he needed in Spain.
But there is hope. Although Plavnieks continues to require treatment, the experience has motivated him to launch his humanitarian initiative to encourage others to provide monetary aid to cancer patients in his position. As part of the initiative, he created $CANCER, a cryptocurrency that he hopes will become a viable financial alternative for individuals who are unable to rely on insurance or government healthcare to fund their treatment. $CANCER is steadily gaining value as Plavnieks’ story continues to spread globally, and it is growing closer to reaching its billion-dollar market cap goal.
Plavnieks’ story is far from the only example. Other cancer-focused humanitarian initiatives are popping up all over the Internet and beyond – because when the systems in place fail, good people will step up and help those in need.
How You Can Help Cancer Patients Around the World
Plavnieks is documenting his own fight against sarcoma in hopes of spreading awareness on the plight of cancer patients who are unable to afford treatment. His video streams can be watched on X, and if you want to help him or other patients relying on $CANCER, that’s one place to do it.
And if you really want to appeal to your inner philanthropist, consider also donating to cancer research or nonprofits that are devoted to improving the lives of patients around the world. Together, we can make a difference.
