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AP Trending SummaryBrief at 4:49 p.m. ESTKILLINGTON, Vt. — American skier Mikaela Shiffrin said she suffered an abrasion on her left hip and that something “stabbed” her when she crashed during her second run of a World Cup giant slalom race Saturday, doing a flip and sliding into the protective fencing. Shiffrin stayed down on the edge of the course for quite some time as the ski patrol attended to her. She was taken off the hill on a sled and waved to the cheering crowd before going to a clinic for evaluation. “Not really too much cause for concern at this point, I just can’t move,” she said later in a video posted on social media . “I have a pretty good abrasion and something stabbed me. ... I’m so sorry to scare everybody. It looks like all scans so far are clear.” She plans to skip the slalom race Sunday, writing on Instagram she will be “cheering from the sideline.” The 29-year-old was leading after the first run of the GS and charging for her 100th World Cup win. She was within sight of the finish line, five gates onto Killington’s steep finish pitch, when she an outside edge. She hit a gate and did a somersault before sliding into another gate. The fencing slowed her momentum as she came to an abrupt stop. Reigning Olympic GS champion Sara Hector of Sweden won in a combined time of 1 minute, 53.08 seconds. Zrinka Ljutic of Croatia was second and Swiss racer Camille Rast took third. The Americans saw Paula Moltzan and Nina O’Brien finish fifth and sixth. “It’s just so sad, of course, to see Mikaela crash like that and skiing so well,” Hector said on the broadcast after her win. “It breaks my heart and everybody else here.” The crash was a surprise for everyone. Shiffrin rarely DNFs — ski racing parlance for “did not finish.” In 274 World Cup starts, she DNF'd only 18 times. The last time she DNF'd in GS was January 2018. Shiffrin also has not suffered any devastating injuries. In her 14-year career, she has rehabbed only two on-hill injuries: a torn medial collateral ligament and bone bruising in her right knee in December 2015 and a sprained MCL and tibiofibular ligament in her left knee after a downhill crash in January 2024. Neither knee injury required surgery, and both times, Shiffrin was back to racing within two months. Saturday was shaping up to be a banner day for Shiffrin, who skied flawlessly in the first run and held a 0.32-second lead as she chased after her 100th World Cup win. Shiffrin, who grew up in both New Hampshire and Colorado and sharpened her skills at nearby Burke Mountain Academy, has long been a fan favorite. Shiffrin is driven not so much by wins but by arcing the perfect run. She has shattered so many records along the way. She passed Lindsey Vonn’s women’s mark of 82 World Cup victories on Jan. 24, 2023, during a giant slalom in Kronplatz, Italy. That March, Shiffrin broke Swedish great Ingemar Stenmark’s Alpine mark for most World Cup wins when she captured her 87th career race. To date, she has earned five overall World Cup titles, two Olympic gold medals — along with a silver — and seven world championships. In other FIS Alpine World Cup news, the Tremblant World Cup — two women’s giant slaloms at Quebec’s Mont-Tremblant scheduled for next weekend — were canceled. Killington got 21 inches of snow on Thanksgiving Day, but Tremblant — five hours north of Killington — had to cancel its races because of a lack of snow.
Opinion editor’s note: Strib Voices publishes a mix of guest commentaries online and in print each day. To contribute, click here . ••• The scariest thing about being 17 isn’t deciding where you’re going to college or what you want to do when you’re older; instead, it’s missing out on voting in the biggest election of your lifetime. I was born on Feb. 9, 2007. My 18th birthday will arrive 96 days after Election Day. I knew everything about each candidate; I read Project 2025, I read Kamala Harris’ policies, and I knew who I would vote for. Yet I still waited anxiously on Nov. 5 to learn the fate of the next four years that I had no say in. This is not me advocating for lowering the voting age, but rather stating why voting is a privilege we should not give up. I would have done anything to take the place of someone who felt their vote didn’t matter and vote instead of them. I would have gladly marched around with my “I Voted” sticker. Instead, I was forced to pray and hope my candidate won. My friends at school, including those who are 18, asked me who I supported. I chose not to answer because I’ve seen the backlash some give to teenagers: “You can’t vote, so why do you care?” The truth is, this election affects me too. President-elect Donald Trump promised to dismantle the Department of Education, which runs the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Harris pledged to assist first-time homeowners. Trump pledged to end inflation and fix the economy. Harris pledged to make college more affordable. Both candidates had policies that would affect me in the next four years. Yet I had to sit and watch without making my voice heard. Being 17 doesn’t mean I shouldn’t be involved or active in politics. I volunteered with a campaign and even phone-banked for one of the candidates. Whenever I was asked why I cared so much about an election I couldn’t vote in, I struggled to answer. The truth is, this election affected every single American. I was invited this summer to the prestigious weeklong Boys State Program held in June at St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minn. I was an active participant and held roles all throughout the journey. I was first appointed city clerk by my city. I was then elected to the state Senate and, last, won a statewide election as secretary of state. This experience proved to me that my voice deserves uplifting. I encourage parents to educate their children on the elections even if the children can’t vote. I have always had an interest in politics, and my parents’ teaching me was a main driving force. Teach your child about both sides; don’t teach them what to think but rather what each side believes. I have family members who have different views, and that’s OK! Parents, do not worry about your child having different views; it means you raised them to be a free thinker. Politicians should encourage underage volunteers. Let children become involved in your campaigns. Let them go door-knocking and phone-banking, or even let them become members of your social team. Let children have a chance to be active in politics. Remember, they deserve to be heard, too. Encourage them to share their voice; let democracy live on into the next generation. As for political parties, encourage young people to preregister to vote, teach them about your policies, offer internships and support the upcoming politicians. Supporting our young people is an easy thing to do, but it also requires your commitment. I’m not asking you to hire a vice chair of the party who is 16. I’m asking you to encourage the young people to be active. Our future is at stake, too, and we have nobody to amplify that; you can. I am proud to be American, and our country’s future is bright. So, parents and teachers, encourage your students to go door-knocking or phone-banking for a candidate. Encourage your student to be an informed citizen, and — who knows? — they may just one day be our president. Wyatt Pohlen, a senior at Minneota High School, plans to attend the University of Minnesota to pursue a degree in political science.
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Christopher Joseph Chris EbarbGuerrilla Wall Labels Protest Keffiyeh Ban at Noguchi MuseumThe Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC) has fined Facebook owner Meta €251m after concluding an investigation into a 2018 data breach that exposed millions of user accounts. The incident had seen hackers gain access to user information by exploiting bugs in the platform’s code that allowed them access what are known as user tokens. The data breach impacted approximately 29 million Facebook accounts globally, of which approximately three million were based in the EU/EEA. Data involved included users’ full name; email address; phone number; location; place of work; date of birth; religion; gender and children’s personal data. The breach had been reported by Meta, which is headed by founder Mark Zuckerberg, in September 2018. The decisions, which were made by the Commissioners for Data Protection, Dr Des Hogan and Dale Sunderland, included a number of reprimands and an order to pay administrative fines totalling €251m. The DPC submitted a draft decision to European peer agencies under the GDPR cooperation mechanism in September 2024, where no objections were raised. The decisions comes not long after the DPC fined Meta €91m, in September this year, for storing passwords in plain text. That case dates back to 2019, when Meta notified the Irish regulator that it had “inadvertently” stored certain passwords of social media users in plain text on its internal systems without cryptographic protection or encryption The latest fine takes the total levied by the DPC against all companies to around €3.5bn, mostly in the last four years and overwhelmingly levied against big tech firms, which have large operations in Ireland and therefore fall under Irish jurisdiction under the EU’s so called ‘one-stop-shop’ rule. Just a fraction of those fines have been collected however, with significant fines subject to appeal. Commenting on the Meta fine issued this week DPC Deputy Commissioner Graham Doyle said it highlighted how failure to build in data protection requirements throughout the design and development cycle exposed individuals to very serious risks and harms. Facebook data can be highly sensitive, he said. “Facebook profiles can, and often do, contain information about matters such as religious or political beliefs, sexual life or orientation, and similar matters that a user may wish to disclose only in particular circumstances. By allowing unauthorised exposure of profile information, the vulnerabilities behind this breach caused a grave risk of misuse of these types of data.”
Cardinals' feel-good month comes to a screeching halt after a head-scratching loss to Seahawks
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A fugitive gains fame in New Orleans eluding dart guns and nets NEW ORLEANS (AP) — For months, a fugitive dog known as Scrim has transfixed the city of New Orleans. The 17-pound mutt has gained fame eluding a tenacious band of citizens wielding a tranquilizer dart gun and night vision binoculars. He's already escaped two homes. Now his sightings are plotted on a crowd-sourced Google map. Animal rescuers hope to capture the renegade pooch and put him in a place that's safe and secure. But there's a backlash, fueled by the now-viral video of Scrim leaping out a two-story window, under the hashtag #FreeScrim, as some think the dog should be able to roam free. McConnell falls and sprains wrist after GOP luncheon, colleague says he is 'fine' WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell fell and sprained his wrist while walking out of a GOP luncheon on Tuesday, the latest in a series of medical incidents for him in recent years. That's according to a senator who was with him when it happened. Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso, the No. 3 Senate Republican and a doctor, said McConnell walked back to his office after the fall with no assistance and had “a small scratch.” Medical staff were seen taking a wheelchair into McConnell’s office just before a scheduled weekly news conference. McConnell, who is stepping down from his leadership post at the end of the year, did not attend the news conference. Who is Tony Buzbee, the lawyer suing Jay-Z as part of civil cases against Sean 'Diddy' Combs? HOUSTON (AP) — High-profile legal battles are nothing new for Texas attorney Tony Buzbee. His latest is a lawsuit he’s filed against rapper Jay-Z. Buzbee is accusing the iconic rapper as well as Sean “Diddy” Combs of sexually assaulting a minor at an awards show after-party in 2000. The lawsuit against Jay-Z is part of multiple civil cases Buzbee has filed on behalf of more than 150 people who allege sexual abuse and exploitation at the hands of Combs, who denies the claims. In his legal career, Buzbee has represented a variety of clients, including victims of sexual assault and well-known politicians. His critics say he’s full of bluster and bombast. Buzbee's firm says he's worked to “pursue justice against powerful figures.” OpenAI releases AI video generator Sora but limits how it depicts people SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — OpenAI has publicly released its new artificial intelligence video generator Sora but won’t let most users depict people as it monitors for patterns of misuse. Users of a premium version of OpenAI’s flagship product ChatGPT can now use Sora to instantly create AI-generated videos based on written commands. Among the highlighted examples are high-quality video clips of sumo-wrestling bears and a cat sipping coffee. But only a small set of invited testers can use Sora to make videos of humans as OpenAI works to “address concerns around misappropriation of likeness and deepfakes,” the company said in a blog post. Soto's record $765 million, 15-year contract with Mets reverberates through Major League Baseball DALLAS (AP) — Juan Soto’s record $765 million, 15-year contract with the New York Mets, the largest and longest deal in baseball history, has reverberated across the winter meetings. It stung the Yankees, who offered $760 million over 16 years to the All-Star outfielder. Soto’s deal sparked even greater expectations in a free agent market that includes pitchers Corbin Burnes and Max Fried, first basemen Pete Alonso and Christian Walker, third baseman Alex Bregman and outfielder Anthony Santander. Many small-market teams have long sought a salary cap but the consensus since the 1994-95 strike has been not to propose a hard limit. Rupert Murdoch’s attempt to change his family’s trust over Fox News media empire control rejected RENO, Nev. (AP) — A sealed document obtained by The New York Times says a Nevada commissioner has ruled against Rupert Murdoch’s effort to change his family’s trust to give his son Lachlan Murdoch control of his media empire and ensure Fox News maintains its conservative editorial slant. The commissioner concluded in a decision filed on Saturday that the two men had acted in “bad faith” in their bid to amend the irrevocable trust. Lachlan Murdoch is the head of Fox News and News Corp. The trust divides control of the company equally among Murdoch’s four oldest children after his death. A lawyer for Rupert Murdoch says he and his son intend to appeal the ruling. Greyhound racing is increasingly rare worldwide. New Zealand now plans to outlaw the practice WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — New Zealand's racing minister says the country will outlaw greyhound racing, citing the injury rates for racing dogs. He says it will be shut down over the next 20 months, allowing time for those it employs to find other work and homes to be found for the 2,900 racing dogs. New Zealand is one of only a handful of countries where commercial greyhound racing is held. The industry body says the government has not recognized the progress it has made in animal welfare. The government passed an urgent law Tuesday barring greyhound owners from killing dogs as the industry winds down. Trustee over Infowars auction asks court to approve The Onion's winning bid A trustee who oversaw the bankruptcy auction of Alex Jones’ Infowars is asking a judge to approve The Onion’s winning bid for the conspiracy-filled platform. Trustee Christopher Murray took the stand Tuesday in the second day of testimony at a hearing where a judge is scrutinizing the satirical news outlet’s winning offer. He told U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Christopher Lopez in Houston that he was there asking a court to approve the sale of Infowars’ parent company to The Onion’s parent company. It is not clear how quickly Lopez will rule. The Onion wants to turn Infowars’ website and social media accounts into parodies. Still rockin': As a singer turns 80, the Christmas song she sang as a teen is a holiday staple NEW YORK (AP) — Brenda Lee's memories of recording “Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree” are a little hazy now. But that's to be expected, since she was 13-years-old when it was made in 1958 and this month is celebrating her 80th birthday. The song has lived a remarkable life, and even unseated Mariah Carey's “All I Want for Christmas is You” at the top of the Billboard charts last year. Experts say the way it evokes a simpler time at the “Christmas party hop” is a key to its success. The song achieves the neat trick of sounding retro without being dated. Mass evacuation of Philippine villages underway after a brief but major volcanic eruption MANILA, Philippines (AP) — About 87,000 people are being evacuated in a central Philippine region after a volcano erupted with a huge plume of ash and superhot streams of gas and debris hurtling down its slopes. The eruption Monday of Mount Kanlaon on central Negros island did not cause any immediate casualties, but the alert level was raised one level, indicating further and more explosive eruptions may occur. Volcanic ash fell over a wide area, nine flights were canceled or diverted, schools were closed and a nighttime curfew was imposed in the most vulnerable areas. Mass evacuations were being carried out urgently in towns and villages nearest the volcano's western and southern slopes.Police chase arrests after £20k of phones stolen in frightening high street robbery
State Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-Pa.) is either a total space cadet or is trolling the universe after he appeared to mistake a “ Star Wars ” prop for a captured drone. In fairness to the Trump-endorsed Republican who lost to Democrat Josh Shapiro for governor in 2022, we’ll give him his say first: He insists he was knowingly using the image as a meme. But he absorbed nearly a day of online mockery for writing a serious-sounding statement about the government response to the drones. And it was accompanied by a photo of a “Star Wars” TIE fighter replica on a truck with the headline: “Breaking News: Crashed drone in Orange Beach retrieved from water, and taken to undisclosed location for further investigation.” It is inconceivable that the federal government has no answers nor has taken any action to get to the bottom of the unidentified drones. The fecklessness of this administration was on display last year when a Chinese surveillance balloon was allowed to fly over the entire... pic.twitter.com/qWqyH3dnkI — Senator Doug Mastriano (@SenMastriano) December 16, 2024 He received a community correction and some online sass for the apparent blunder. Among prominent people chiming in were former Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) and CNN’s Jake Tapper. Critics also called him “dumb” and “stupid.” I take the actual drone story seriously but re the below, I’m pretty sure Red Leader Garven Dreis shot down that TIE fighter in ep IV A New Hope https://t.co/MD4nRsZqQ7 — Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) December 17, 2024 Wow — Adam Kinzinger (Slava Ukraini) 🇺🇸🇺🇦🇮🇱 (@AdamKinzinger) December 17, 2024 Leaked footage reveals that they're armed with space lasers! pic.twitter.com/vIGkLsDAQZ — AXEL (@AxelTheDoby) December 17, 2024 pic.twitter.com/F36RqnzfyH — CletusVanDamme (@CubbiesFan82) December 17, 2024 You can’t be that stupid, or can you? — Mario 🇺🇸🇵🇱🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@PawlowskiMario) December 17, 2024 Doug please this is so embarrassing — pamela 🎡✨ (@tisthepamseason) December 17, 2024 I'm sorry, you're an elected state senator???? — Sean Murphy (@seanhalfcourt) December 17, 2024 Mysterious drones appearing over New York and New Jersey have captured the public’s imagination but federal officials say they don’t pose a threat . Mastriano sure seemed rattled but asserted that the farce was with him ― and he turned his response into an indictment of “modern day ‘journalism.’” pic.twitter.com/xrzDa104lr — Doug Mastriano (@dougmastriano) December 17, 2024 Stephen Colbert Spots Grim Holiday Twist In Republican Lawmaker’s Drones Plan U.S. Government Should Use Advanced Technology To Identify Mysterious Drones, Schumer Says Donald Trump Calls On Feds To Either Explain The Mystery Drones Or Shoot Them Down
Formula 1 expands grid to add General Motors' Cadillac brand and new American team for 2026 season
Last week was the 13F filings deadline at the SEC. All stripes of money managers, from freshly minted mutual fund managers to hedge fund pros and patrician blue blood family offices, must send the Securities and Exchange Commission a list of every stock they owned at the end of the third quarter. A simple comparison of this quarter’s filing to the last one shows what the best and brightest of Wall Street have been buying and selling recently. The financial media and instant experts of the Internet have been all over the place in the last week, telling us what Warren Buffett, Cathie Wood, Michael Burry, Bill Ackman, and many other celebrity investors have been doing with their money recently. It is undoubtedly a fun topic and occasionally interesting, but knowing what multi-gazillionaires are doing with their cash is not very useful for those of us still working to cobble together the first billion. One of the most critical pieces of information from the quarterly filings is that most people who get paid to manage America’s money are mediocre at best. What most do not realize is that this mediocrity is mostly intentional. To be great, you must be different. As Sir John Templeton pointed out, you cannot be great if you do what everyone else does. Being different on Wall Street can get you fired. Being a portfolio manager is a perfect job. The easiest way to keep that job is to do what everybody else is doing. That way, if something goes wrong, it is the market’s fault. If you try to be great and something goes wrong, it is your fault. The unemployment line beckons. The trick to making money from the acts of idea piracy I perform every quarter is to dig deep and find those investors who dare to be different and are not managing so much money that mediocre is the best they can achieve. One of the finest examples of that small handful of investors worthy of being raided is Glenn Greenberg of Brave Warriors Advisors. The tale of Glenn Greenberg’s investing career is not a rags-to-riches tale by any stretch of the imagination. His mother was the great-granddaughter of the founder of the Gimbels chain of department stores in New York. While Gimbels closed in 1986, it was a major player in the retail industry for 144 years and is best known today (especially this time of year) for its role in “A Miracle on 34th Street.” His father is Hall of Fame slugger Hank Greenberg, one of the greatest power hitters of all time. He helped lead the Detroit Tigers to two World Series titles. Like many of the best investors, Glenn Greenberg did not take a traditional route to Wall Street. He got a degree in English from Yale University and followed that with a Master of Arts in Literature from New York University. Then he went to Columbia and procured an MBA. After completing his MBA in 1971, Greenberg joined Morgan Guaranty Trust’s Pension group as an analyst and portfolio manager, where he worked for five years. In 1978, he moved to Central-National Gottesman, collaborating with Arthur Ross and Edgar Wachenheim, two successful off-the-radar screen investors. In 1984, Greenberg went out on his own with Chieftain Capital until 2010 when he outperformed the S&P 500 by 50% annually. He and his partner parted company, and Greenberg founded Brave Warrior Advisors. The outperformance has continued at Brave Warrior as Greenberg has outperformed the indexes by a wide margin. Greenberg uses a value-oriented philosophy and takes a handful of positions in companies he considers excellent businesses that can be purchased at attractive prices. Like most fund managers, Greenberg holds stocks for years, not just months. Idea pirates who owned the top ten stocks in the Brave Warrior Portfolio have done very well. Greenberg was only adding shares of a handful of his holdings in the past quarter. The largest addition was a new position in Ryanair Holdings RYAAY , the Dublin-based discount airline. Ryanair is known for its high operating efficiency and strong market position. The airline currently offers over 3,600 flights to destinations in 340 cities worldwide. Ryanair has ambitious growth plans and is targeting a 50% growth in passenger numbers by the end of the decade, supported by its growing fleet of fuel-efficient aircraft. The airline’s strong balance sheet will allow it to manage the ebbs and flows of the global economy and air travel. Coupled with its history of consistent profitability and a shareholder-friendly approach to capital returns, the company’s growth plans and strong balance sheet create the opportunity for massive long-term gains for patient, aggressive investors. Brave Warrior was also buying more TD Synnex Corp SNX shares. Synnex is a leading global distributor and solutions aggregator for the IT ecosystem, with over 150,000 customers in over 100 countries worldwide. Synnex distributes products from over 2,500 vendors, including many in fast-growing marketplace segments like cloud, cybersecurity, big data/analytics, AI, IoT, mobility, and everything as a service. Whoever the biggest winner in technology is going forward, there is a good chance Synnex will sell a significant percentage of the gear and equipment needed to reach their goals. The firm’s third largest purchase is one of my favorite companies in one of my favorite industries. We are not done using oil and gas. We are not even close to being done. We will need enormous amounts of both, especially natural gas, to fund the future of industry and technology. It will all move through pipelines, terminals, processing centers, and other infrastructure. Oil and gas companies will pay a fee to move their products through that infrastructure. Much of that infrastructure is owned by MPLX MPLX , a publicly traded MLP. They collect the fees and pay them out to shareholders as dividends. The shares currently yield right around 7.5%. The value of the assets they own and the cash they produce should increase over time. A few years ago, I had a friend tell me they did not want to buy MLPs like MPLX because they hated dealing with K-1 forms at tax time. Since then, he would have collected more than half the dividend purchase price, and the stock has almost tripled. It would have been more profitable to pay the accountant. Stealing ideas from Glenn Greenberg and his team may not be the most exciting thing you have ever done with your portfolio. There is a good chance it could be the most profitable. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Share Tweet Share Share Email The idea of crowdsourcing has expanded into several areas of life, from funding creative projects to helping individuals cover unexpected expenses. One of the most significant uses of crowdsourcing today is in healthcare financing. With rising medical costs and the increasing need for specialized care, many people are turning to the community for help. This is where “Crowdsourced Healthcare Financing” comes into play. Community-funded medical support leverages the collective power of individuals to help others pay for medical bills, treatment , and recovery costs. Understanding Crowdsourced Healthcare Financing Crowdsourced healthcare financing refers to a system in which people raise money from the public, typically through online platforms, to cover medical expenses. It’s an alternative method to traditional healthcare funding, which often depends on insurance or personal savings. Crowdsourcing allows individuals to tap into their networks, including friends, family, and even strangers, who can contribute financially to their medical needs. In its simplest form, crowdsourcing is a way to gather small amounts of money from a large group of people. This practice has been around for years but has gained significant momentum with the rise of digital platforms. Platforms like GoFundMe, Kickstarter, and GiveSendGo have made it easier for people to reach potential donors from all over the world. The Role of Online Platforms in Crowdsourced Healthcare Financing The internet has revolutionized the way we seek financial support. Through crowdsourcing websites, people can create personal fundraising pages where they share their stories, medical needs, and fundraising goals. These platforms offer a simple and efficient way to connect with individuals who are willing to help. By telling their stories, patients and their families can gain emotional support as well as financial assistance. Online platforms also make it easy for people to donate. With just a few clicks, donors can contribute to a cause they feel passionate about. These platforms usually offer a variety of payment methods , including credit cards, bank transfers, and even cryptocurrency, making donations accessible for almost anyone. Why Crowdsourced Healthcare Financing is on the Rise There are several factors contributing to the rise of crowdsourced healthcare financing. One of the most significant reasons is the increasing cost of healthcare. As healthcare expenses continue to rise, many individuals find themselves without adequate insurance coverage or the financial means to pay for medical treatments. Crowdsourcing offers a solution to this problem, allowing people to access funds when they need them most. Another reason for the popularity of crowdsourced healthcare financing is the personal connection that donors can feel with the cause. People often choose to donate to medical causes because they can relate to the emotional aspects of the situation. Whether it’s a personal story of illness, a community member’s health battle, or a heart-wrenching tragedy, crowdsourcing allows donors to support causes that matter to them on a deeper level. The Benefits of Crowdsourced Healthcare Financing Accessibility One of the key advantages of crowdsourced healthcare financing is its accessibility. Unlike traditional healthcare financing methods, such as loans or insurance, crowdsourcing allows individuals to reach a wide audience of potential donors. This can be particularly beneficial for those who do not have access to traditional funding options or whose insurance doesn’t cover all their medical expenses. Speed In emergencies, time is often of the essence. Crowdsourcing allows people to raise money quickly, sometimes within days or even hours. This quick access to funds can be crucial in situations where medical care cannot wait. Emotional Support Beyond the financial assistance, crowdsourcing provides emotional support for patients and their families. By sharing their story, individuals can connect with others who have had similar experiences, offering a sense of community and hope. Donors also feel a sense of fulfillment by helping others in need, fostering a stronger sense of solidarity. Transparency and Trust Crowdsourced platforms usually offer transparency, showing how the funds are being used. This helps build trust between the person raising money and the donors. Patients can provide updates on their health and treatment, which keeps donors engaged and ensures that the funds are being allocated appropriately. Challenges of Crowdsourced Healthcare Financing While crowdsourcing offers several benefits, it’s not without its challenges. Some of the most common challenges include: Limited Funding Potential Although crowdsourcing can help raise significant funds, there is no guarantee of success. People often need to have a large social media following or an existing network of supporters to raise enough money. For those who don’t have a strong online presence or extensive networks, crowdsourcing may not always be a viable solution. Potential for Exploitation With the ease of creating a fundraising page, there is also the potential for fraud. Some individuals may exploit crowdsourcing platforms for personal gain, even if they don’t have legitimate medical needs. This can make it harder for donors to identify genuine causes from fraudulent ones. Platforms have measures in place to prevent fraud, but it remains a concern for some donors. Emotional Burden on Fundraisers While the emotional support from donors can be uplifting, the process of sharing one’s personal medical journey can also be emotionally exhausting. Fundraisers must constantly update their supporters and keep their pages active to maintain engagement. This can take a toll on individuals who are already dealing with the stress of illness. How to Launch a Successful Crowdsourced Healthcare Campaign To run a successful crowdsourced healthcare campaign, there are several key steps to follow: Be Transparent and Honest Transparency is crucial for building trust. Be clear about the medical situation, what the funds will be used for, and how much is needed. Honesty helps establish credibility, which is essential for attracting donors. Share Your Story People are more likely to donate when they feel emotionally connected to the cause. Share your personal story, including the challenges you’re facing, the impact of your illness, and how the funds will make a difference. Including photos or videos can make your campaign more engaging. Utilize Social Media Social media is an incredibly powerful tool for reaching a wide audience. Share your fundraising page across your social media accounts to increase visibility. Encourage friends and family to share your campaign as well to help spread the word. Provide Regular Updates Keep your donors informed about your progress. Provide regular updates on your health, treatment, and how the funds are being used. This helps build trust and keeps people invested in your journey. The Future of Crowdsourced Healthcare Financing As the cost of healthcare continues to rise, crowdsourced healthcare financing is expected to become even more prevalent. With advancements in technology and the increasing use of digital platforms, raising money for medical needs will likely become even more accessible. While it may not replace traditional healthcare systems, crowdsourcing will play a key role in supporting individuals who find themselves in need of financial assistance. As more people discover the power of community-funded medical support, crowdsourced healthcare financing may continue to grow, offering hope to those who need it most. Conclusion Crowdsourced healthcare financing is an innovative and effective way to address the rising costs of medical treatment. By leveraging the power of the community, individuals can access much-needed funds to cover their medical expenses. Although there are challenges, such as the potential for fraud and the emotional burden on fundraisers, the benefits of accessibility , speed, and emotional support make crowdsourcing a viable option for many. As healthcare costs continue to rise, crowdsourcing may become an essential part of the healthcare landscape, offering a lifeline to those in need. Related Items: Healthcare Financing , Medical Support , Online Platforms in Crowdsourced Share Tweet Share Share Email Comments