Skip to main content

Crowdfunding efforts raise big sums for victims of Boston bombing

Crowdfunding efforts raise big sums for victims of Boston bombing

Share this story

Bucks for Bauman
Bucks for Bauman

Internet donations are pouring in for victims of the Boston Marathon bombing, with crowdfunding campaigns on various websites raising hundreds of thousands of dollars to help pay for their medical care.

Bucks for Bauman, which was established to help bombing victim and key eyewitness Jeff Bauman, has raised more than $250,000 of its $1 million goal in two days. As of this writing, more than 6,000 people have donated over $275,000 to aid Bauman in his recovery.

"Every dollar counts!"

"Medical bills are going to start rolling in, let's get a head start on helping out Bauman and his family!" reads the introduction from Brooke Gibbs, who created the campaign. "Every dollar counts!"

Bloomberg reported that Bauman, who lost his legs in the explosion, saw the bomb being planted and helped identify the suspects to the FBI.

A similar effort has raised more than $400,000 for Celeste Corcoran and her daughter Sydney. They were at the finish line to watch a relative compete when the bombs went off, and both suffered significant injuries as a result. Their story attracted a $25,000 donation from comedian Chelsea Handler and a visit from actor Bradley Cooper, according to photos posted on their donation page.

Similar campaigns have been set up for victims Roseann Sdoia, Ann and Eric Whalley, and newlyweds Patrick Downes and Jessica Kensky.

While the outpouring of support from around the world is heartening, the proliferation of places to donate has also led to calls for caution. CNET notes that scores of domains sprung up in the immediate aftermath of the bombing, and not all of them appear to be legitimate.