In Mexico, cancer patients not only face the emotional and health burdens of treatments but also a significant economic blow. Some do not have social security, or insurers do not renew coverage, further complicating their situation. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that in 2020 there were 10 million cancer deaths worldwide, with the most common types being breast, lung, colon, rectum, and prostate cancer.
In Mexican territory, more than 190,000 cancer cases are diagnosed each year, and approximately 84,000 patients do not survive. This makes cancer the third leading cause of death in Mexico, according to data from the Mexican Association Against Cancer (AMLCC). The mortality rate has been increasing, rising from 62 to nearly 69 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants between 2012 and 2022, with Mexico City, Sonora, and Veracruz leading the mortality statistics.
For this reason, the GoFundMe platform has created a special page to receive donations and support people fighting against cancer. Concrete examples show the difficult situation faced by patients like Magda from Baja California Sur, who had part of her tongue removed due to tongue and throat cancer, making it difficult for her to speak and eat.
Martín Michel Rojas, originally from Puebla, has dealt with leukemia for a decade and needs a bone marrow transplant that entails considerable costs. On the other hand, visual artist Vinia Winckelmann, who had private insurance to treat her cancer in the past, now faces the disease again without being able to renew her coverage, which has led to a significant financial burden for her and her family.
Crowdfunding not only provides economic support to those facing cancer but also allows them to focus on their recovery and well-being. Elisa Liberatori Finocchiaro, GoFundMe's Corporate Affairs Director, emphasizes that this tool provides a tangible solution to alleviate the financial burden involved in fighting this devastating disease.
