Cancer Fundraising: How to Start a GoFundMe for Medical Bills and Living Expenses

The bills don’t wait for recovery. They show up fast—copays, prescriptions, travel, rent—right when your energy is at its lowest.
A GoFundMe can be a real lifeline if you set it up thoughtfully and protect yourself along the way.

I’ve helped many patients do this well. Here’s a clear, step-by-step guide you can use today.

What GoFundMe Is (and Isn’t)

GoFundMe is a crowdfunding platform that lets friends, family, and your wider community donate to help cover costs like:

• Medical bills and copays

• Medications and supplies

• Travel and lodging for treatment

• Rent, utilities, groceries, childcare

It’s not a grant. It’s community support—and it works best when you give people clarity and trust.

Step 1: Decide What You’re Fundraising For

Be specific. Vague goals raise less money.

Common, legitimate uses include:

• Out-of-pocket medical costs

• Lost income during treatment

• Transportation and lodging

• Home care, meals, or childcare

Tip: Add up 2–3 months of expenses. That’s a realistic starting goal.

Step 2: Write a Simple, Honest Story

You don’t need drama. You need clarity.

Use this structure:

1. What happened: Your diagnosis, in plain language

2. What changed: Work, income, or daily life

3. What help is needed: Exactly what funds will cover

4. Why it matters now: Timing creates urgency

Keep it human. Two to four short paragraphs is perfect.

Step 3: Choose the Right Organizer

Whenever possible, have a trusted friend or family member run the campaign.

Why this helps:

• Less emotional labor for you

• More consistent updates

• Clearer accountability

It also feels easier for donors when someone close to you is stewarding the funds.

Step 4: Set a Smart Goal

Start with a goal you can realistically reach.

Better:

• $7,500 with momentum

• $12,000 after updates

Worse:

• $50,000 with silence

You can always raise the goal later. Early success builds trust.

Step 5: Share Strategically (Not Everywhere at Once)

Don’t blast it everywhere on day one.

Try this rollout:

1. Private messages to close friends and family

2. Ask 5–10 people to share it

3. Then post publicly on social media

Personal asks outperform mass posts every time.

Step 6: Update Weekly (Even Briefly)

Updates matter more than you think.

Good updates include:

• Treatment milestones

• Gratitude

• How funds are helping

• What’s coming next

Two sentences is enough. Consistency builds momentum.

Important Financial Considerations

This part matters.

• GoFundMe funds may count as income or assets for programs like SSI or Medicaid

• Funds are not tax-deductible to donors

• You may need to report funds depending on use and local rules

If you’re on benefits, talk to a navigator before fundraising. There are safer nonprofit options if needed.

Red Flags to Avoid

• Guilt-based language (“I hate asking…”)

• Over-sharing medical details

• Promising outcomes you can’t control

• Leaving the page unmonitored

Clarity and boundaries protect you.

When GoFundMe Is the Right Tool

GoFundMe works best when:

• Costs are immediate

• Community support is strong

• You’re not on means-tested benefits—or you’ve checked first

• You have help managing the page

It’s one tool—not the only one—but it can make a real difference.

Final Thought

Asking for help during cancer is not failure. It’s survival.

If fundraising gives you breathing room to heal, it’s worth doing—with a plan, support, and clear guardrails.

You don’t have to do this alone.