Medical crowdfunding raises millions for unproven or potentially risky treatments

Crowdfunding campaigns have raked in millions of dollars for scientifically unproven — and potentially dangerous — medical treatments since 2015, according to a new analysis. The study turned up 1,059 campaigns that raised money for five unproven or possibly risky treatments, including homeopathy or naturopathy for cancer, hyperbaric oxygen for brain injury, and long-term antibiotics for chronic Lyme disease. All told, the campaigns hoped to collect more than $27 million and raised $6,779,700.01. “Medical crowdfunding is facilitating the normalization of experimental therapies,” Valorie Crooks, a health geographer at Simon Fraser University, tells me.