Table 3 The 10-19th most frequent conditions in crowdfunding campaigns

10–11

Epilepsy

14 (3.69%)

In several cases epilepsy was a comorbid condition in addition to another disease such as autism spectrum disorder (n = 3), genetic disorder (n = 3) or mental disorder (n = 2). In the majority but not all cases epilepsy was a disabling condition (8 out of 14 cases). Patients with epilepsy requested donations for various therapies such as Adeli, swimming or innovative therapy (n = 6). Epilepsy watch dogs were high on the wish list (n = 8). In some other cases funding was requested to increase mobility with the help of a special needs bike and a stair lift (n = 2); to support research in fields where epilepsy is a comorbid condition (n = 2); and patient education (n = 1). In comparison with other categories, although funding was less frequently requested for living expenses (n = 1) and treatment-related travel costs (n = 1), donations were more frequently asked to finance treatment abroad (n = 6).

10–11

Prosthesis & orthosis

14 (3.69%)

Individuals turned to crowdfunding with prosthesis or orthosis related problems mostly to cover sport prostheses and other very expensive prostheses (n = 5), or special therapy for children with orthosis (n = 2), none of them being covered by the insurance fund. In some other cases financing was requested to cover treatment-related travel (n = 3) and accommodation expenses (n = 2), living expenses (n = 2), or to install a stair lift facilitating the mobility of an individual with prostheses (n = 1). In three cases funding was requested to cover prosthesis-related expenses for patients outside Germany (n = 3), including a hospital in Tanzania to produce prostheses.

12

Eye, Blind

13 (3.42%)

In this category donations were requested as a result of various eye problems. From the donations, individuals aimed to cover the living expenses of a family with a blind member (n = 4) and the cost of eye surgery not financed by health insurance (n = 4). Funding was requested for therapy not covered by the insurance fund in three cases (n = 3): electro-acupuncture therapy (n = 1), dubious therapies for blind children (n = 1), reason unspecified (n = 1). One individual wished to go on holiday before becoming completely blind (n = 1). Treatment abroad was requested in two cases (n = 2), while eye surgery for a foreign child in one case (n = 1).

13

Transplants

12 (3.39%)

In this category individuals turned to crowdfunding, for example, to finance surgery (n = 3): kidney transplant for a foreigner (n = 1) or hair transplant not covered by the insurance fund (n = 2). Funding was requested for therapy as frequently as for surgery (n = 3): stem cell infusion therapy, micro-immune therapy, and doctor’s visits. The desire to finance living expenses was also mentioned several times (n = 3). Covering the cost of transplants for relatives or acquaintances living outside Germany was more frequently mentioned in this category than in the others (n = 5; 41.67% of all transplant-related campaigns).

14

Plastic surgery

9 (2.37%)

Funding was requested from the crowd for a variety of aesthetic surgeries; breast augmentation (n = 3) and breast reduction (n = 2) were on top of the list. The remaining campaigns listed removal of excess skin from the abdomen (n = 1), rhinoplasty (n = 1) and skin reconstruction (n = 1). In one case funding was requested for reconstructive surgery for a relative outside Germany (n = 1).

15–17

Weight/Obesity

8 (2.11%)

Overweight individuals requested funding for surgery to remove excess fat (n = 1) and/or excess skin (n = 4), to install an intragastric balloon (n = 1), to buy weight loss products (n = 1) or a special needs bicycle for an overweight premature child (n = 1).

15–17

Autism spectrum disorder

8 (2.11%)

In the majority of cases, families with children suffering from autism spectrum disorder asked for financial support to ease their everyday lives. In particular, individuals requested funding for animal-assisted therapy (n = 4), treatment-related travel expenses (n = 2), living expenses (n = 2), therapy bicycle (n = 1), and legal process to support the mother of an autistic child (n = 1). Funding was requested for research in one campaign (n = 1). Treatment abroad was mentioned in two campaigns (n = 2).

15–17

Heart problems

8 (2.11%)

Patients with heart problems turned to crowdfunding to finance their heart surgery (n = 3); their therapy (n = 2) and their medication (n = 2). Some other motives included a special needs chair (n = 1), treatment-related travel costs (n = 1), living expenses (n = 1), holidays (n = 1), and financial support for a heart centre (n = 1).

18–19

Diabetes

7 (1.84%)

Individuals with diabetes asked for donations for a wide array of expenses: holidays (n = 3); living expenses (n = 2); surgery to reduce being overweight and to improve vision (n = 2); electric wheelchair (n = 1). Funding was requested for a non-resident in one case (n = 1).

18–19

Orthopaedics

7 (1.84%)

Individuals with orthopaedic problems requested funding for various expenses: orthopaedic interventions no longer supported by health insurance (n = 3), special needs bike with orthopaedic features (n = 1), accommodation and travel-related expenses for a series of surgeries financed by insurance (n = 1), lawsuits against an orthopaedist (n = 1), and opening an orthopaedic clinic in Afghanistan (n = 1).