On 5th of May, 2020, Pragati, a Khelo India archer, fainted and was rushed to Max Super Speciality Hospital, Vaishali, UP. The doctors checked on the 16-year-old and deduced she had suffered a brain stroke. Pragati was advised to get an immediate brain surgery. The cost of the treatment is believed to go up to Rs 25 lakh.
Unable to meet the hefty treatment expenses, Pragati’s family initiated a fundraiser on ImpactGuru.com. In 1 week, the ImpactGuru campaign has received over 300 social media shares and has raised Rs. 15.16 lakh from 786 donors.
Healthcare crowdfunding is an alternative method of raising funds online for medical expenses, with the patient (or his/her friends or family) primarily relying on social media networks to mobilize donors to finance the relevant medical bills. The additional advantage of crowdfunding is that patients do not have to repay that money back to the funders as the money provided online is a donation and not a loan.
Pragati went on to win three medals – gold in individual event and silver in mixed and team championships in International Solidary Archery Championships that was held in Dhaka last year. Pragati also won gold medal in both the CBSE and the School Games Federation of India (SGFI) tournament last year.
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