When 44-year-old Goh Hoon Tiong discovered he had oesophageal cancer in March 2015, he had to give up his jobs as a cleaner and dishwasher.
The single parent was down to just 44kg, but still had to look after his three children, then aged seven, 10 and 13, after their mother left.
His $1,000 salary was not enough to cover his medical fees and daily expenses, but more than $49,000 was raised through crowdfunding platforms Ray of Hope Initiative, Give.asia and Indiegogo.
Although Mr Goh died a year later, the money helped to pay for his operations, as well as more than 25 chemotherapy treatments and four radiotherapy sessions.
Business consultant Martin Lim started an online campaign for Mr Goh after reading a news report about the cancer-stricken man.
His sister, Madam Katherine Goh, 49, is thankful. She is looking after his children now.
"Because of the charitable donors, he lived the last part of his life without worrying about the bills," she told The Straits Times.
She estimates that treatments alone amounted to nearly $50,000.
Online fund-raising appeals have come under the spotlight recently, after four major crowdfunding platforms here committed to adopt a new industry Code of Practice.
Give.asia, Giving.sg, Ray of Hope Initiative and SimplyGiving will be required to complete a declaration of compliance with the fund-raising regulations under the Charities Act.
These regulations include giving accurate information to donors, keeping proper records of donations received and using the money for its intended purpose.
They apply to both the online fund-raisers as well as the platforms they use to raise funds.
The code has triggered discussion about accountability and transparency of appeals for help hosted on crowdfunding platforms.
Some, like Madam Goh, said they are happy to update the public on the use of the funds, out of gratitude.
"Letting them know where the money went is the right thing (to do)," she said.
"The donors will be pleased if their donations did actually help, and especially when the beneficiary is doing well."
The Straits Times verified Mr Goh's treatment and disbursement details with Ray of Hope Initiative.
Other beneficiaries say they may not be able to give thorough updates frequently due to health complications and family difficulties.
Jake - a five-year-old who suffers from neuroblastoma, an aggressive form of childhood cancer - had over $434,000 raised for his treatment through an online fund-raising campaign last year.
He is known only by his first name. A family friend said his mother is very tired, adding: "We don't have the time to dig up all the information.
"We have been honest and forthcoming about the situation and have updated on all that has happened."
Jake's campaign page on Give.asia is updated with his progress every other month or so.
Though the parents of Xie Yujia - better known as Baby Yujia and whose campaign raised more than $1.2 million - declined to comment, there are frequent updates of her progress in a Facebook page dedicated to her.
The four-year-old was born without part of her oesophagus, and her parents sought donations through Indiegogo and Give.asia for her treatment. Her Give.asia campaign is still active.
With the code's introduction, online fund-raisers and crowdfunding platforms that they tap on have to give regular updates on funds raised. The Straits Times understands that this will apply to both ongoing and future campaigns by the first half of the year.
Former chairman of the National Kidney Foundation Gerard Ee said that implementing the code for current and future campaigns brings more accountability and transparency for both the platforms and the fund-raisers.
"For current campaigns, it's a good balance because they would have the records at hand as the campaign is fresh," he said.
"Future campaign fund-raisers can plan ahead.
"Ultimately, it's worth it, because it gives donors the confidence of knowing where their money goes."
Notable crowdfunding cases: Latest updates
Girl born without part of her oesophagus
Xue Yujia or Baby Yujia was born without part of her oesophagus. As a result, she cannot eat through her mouth. Her parents initially used crowdfunding to raise money for reconstructive surgery at the Boston Children's Hospital in the United States, which specialises in treating such defects.
Amount raised: $1.2 million through crowdfunding sites such as Indiegogo and Giveasia
Campaign started: 2015
Latest update: According to Facebook posts, Baby Yujia is undergoing treatment at KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH). The local team will work with the doctors from Boston Children's Hospital to carry out a full examination on Yujia's esophagus condition before planning for more surgery. Yujia's parents have declined to comment.
Evacuating father from Japan
Eileen Cheong raised money to bring her father home from Japan. The Cheong family had just arrived in Tokyo, Japan for a family holiday when Mr Jimi Cheong suffered a cardiac arrest and had to be hospitalised.
Amount raised: $250,000
Campaign started: 2017
Latest update: Mr Cheong died shortly after his arrival in Singapore via emergency air travel. After landing at Seletar Airport, he was quickly transferred into an ambulance where he suffered another cardiac arrest on route to the hospital.
On her campaign page, Ms Cheong shared that the hospital bills in Tokyo amounted to about $129,000 while the medical evacuation arranged by an emergency air ambulance cost $105,000. The remaining funds were donated to other fundraising appeals on Give.asia. While Ms Cheong could not be contacted, her friend, who did not want to be named, was able to verify the use of the donations with The Straits Times.
The boy with aggressive cancer
Jake suffers from stage 3 high risk neuroblastoma, an aggressive form of children's cancer. His parents sought online crowdfunding help to seek treatment in Korea and Italy.
Amount raised: $435,000
Latest update: According to a family friend, Jake is in remission after going through treatment and scans in Italy and Korea. He continues to seek medical treatment.
