Page 223 - GHES-3-2

Global Health Economics and
Sustainability
Innovative fundraising for palliative care

1. Introduction describes diverse fundraising modalities, ranging from
community-based initiatives to corporate partnerships,
Palliative care is a holistic approach aimed at improving highlighting the strengths and difficulties of each
the quality of life for patients facing life-threatening fundraising approach.
illnesses and their families (Sepúlveda et al., 2002). Despite
its profound impact on alleviating suffering and providing 2. Methods
support during times of immense vulnerability, palliative
care services often encounter financial constraints that Group discussions were held online over four 1-h sessions
limit their ability to reach all those in need (Groeneveld in May 2022 to share fundraising experiences and
et al., 2017). Therefore, exploring innovative fundraising opportunities for palliative care. The clinicians were from
strategies is imperative to sustain and expand palliative different specialties including orthopedics, anesthetics,
care initiatives and ensure equitable access to quality end- community medicine, geriatric medicine, and palliative
of-life care. care, as well as from different regions, including India,
Bangladesh, Iran, Thailand, Myanmar, and Brunei. Based
Traditional funding mechanisms face multifaceted on the online discussions and meeting notes, the main
challenges. Constrained health-care budgets, competing fundraising approaches that were innovative yet feasible
priorities, and fluctuating economic landscapes pose for the group members to apply in practice were shortlisted
significant obstacles to securing sustained financial and documented. It is hoped that these ideas could be
support for palliative care (Groeneveld et al., 2017). The implemented by individual members or piloted in each
evolving health-care landscape characterized by shifting region, with any progress or lessons learnt to be shared
demographics, changing disease profiles, and emerging in the subsequent experience sharing sessions among the
health-care needs also result in an ever-increasing need for group members.
palliative care services (Axelsson, 2022).
A study looking at online medical crowdfunding 3. Fundraising approaches
in Canada, the UK, and the United States found 3396 3.1. Art and photography exhibitions
crowdfunding campaigns between February 2018 and Funds for palliative care and specific in-need groups can be
March 2019. There were racial and gender disparities found raised through organizing art and photography exhibitions,
for crowdfunding success, with less funds raised for female with proceeds from ticket sales or auctioned artwork
gender, Black race or routine care, which include palliative directed towards a suitable cause. Art exhibitions have the
services (Saleh et al., 2020). A study from Uganda found potential to attract a wide range of participants, including
that the majority (93%) of palliative-care organizations volunteers, artists, and members of the public. This fosters a
are funded through donations (Amandua et al., 2019). sense of community engagement and supports, and provides
A similar study from Taiwan found that palliative care a platform to showcase diverse cultural, ethnic, and minority
services were mainly funded through individual small groups, promoting inclusivity and cultural appreciation
donations from a large number of people (Hsu et al., 2019). (Ashwell and Cridford, 2019). The same artwork can be used
Thus, many hospices and palliative care providers rely on to host regular exhibitions in various cities and rural areas
community contributions to run their services; therefore, to maximize outreach and potential revenue streams. They
fundraising efforts should be prioritized. can also be adapted to virtual platforms to conduct virtual
However, several opportunities remain untapped for exhibitions and tours, complemented with online donation
fundraising in palliative care. Collective goodwill and options, to enable participation from a wider audience, and
community social capital can mobilize grassroots support transcending geographical barriers. These exhibitions may
and develop a culture of philanthropy. Digital technologies also serve as a medium to raise awareness and educate the
and social media enable access to funding contributions public about palliative care (Macleman, 2007). For example,
beyond geographic boundaries, leveraging connectivity, in Scotland, an alliance called Good Life, Good Death, Good
and social networks (Sleeman et al., 2021). Corporate Grief organizes events such as “To Absent Friends,” a festival
partnerships and forging strategic alliances with businesses of storytelling, remembrance, and celebration of people who
and organizations allow access to additional resources, have died but remain important to them (Hazelwood and
expertise, and networks to scale the potential impact of Patterson, 2018).
palliative care provision (Curtis and Morrison, 2009).
However, there is a need to procure creative talent and
This review paper draws on insights from group attractive artwork or photographs to ensure the appeal of the
discussions and collaborative brainstorming sessions by exhibitions. Meticulous logistic planning, including venue
clinicians undergoing a Fellowship in Palliative Care. It selection, scheduling, and operational details, is essential

Volume 3 Issue 2 (2025) 215 https://doi.org/10.36922/ghes.3809