Fans of popular media including video games, comic books, TV, film, and genre fiction are growing as an enthusiastic and engaged donor base for Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). To better recognize and mobilize fandom communities who are championing MSF’s mission, the international medical humanitarian organization has launched a new campaign, Vital Pact: Fandom Where It’s Needed Most.
“In recent years, MSF-USA has received tremendous support from diverse fan communities through creative and successful fundraising events,” said Thomas Kurmann, director of development for MSF-USA. “We are greatly moved by the proven generosity of these fans and companies. This outpouring of support inspired us to create Vital Pact, so that we could publicly thank the fans who further MSF’s work around the globe.”
Through www.VitalPact.org, fans, communities, and groups can set up fundraising pages, access toolkits, or play video games to raise funds. Announcements of upcoming events and other fandom-oriented opportunities that benefit MSF are made via @VITALPACT on Twitter and on Facebook at facebook.com/vitalpact.
Vital Pact will also be collaborating with some of the most high profile media creators, distributors, and events to create exciting opportunities for fans of all genres. Companies such as Humble Bundle and events like Summer Games Done Quick use the collective power of fans to generate significant donations toward MSF’s emergency medical programs.
Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)
MSF is an international medical humanitarian organization providing aid in nearly 70 countries, to people whose survival is threatened by violence, neglect or catastrophe, primarily due to armed conflict, epidemics, malnutrition, exclusion from health care, or natural disaster. MSF provides independent, impartial assistance to those most in need, irrespective of their race, religion, or political conviction. MSF speaks out to bring attention to neglected crises, to challenge inadequacies or abuse of the aid system, and to advocate for improved medical treatments and protocols.
In 1999 MSF received the Nobel Peace Prize for its work.
