'Helping you capture and convey your final words and wishes'
How and why MyEpilog impacts society
What we are doing
Our purpose is initially to enable terminal patients to enhance their emotional wellbeing and that of those they leave behind. This includes allowing them to make a final difference by providing an additional, amazingly effective fundraising method for worthy causes close to their hearts. From there we aim to partner charitable organisations to bring our capability to add to their mix of fundraising channels.
Almost every charity uses gifting as a fund-raising method and here are also online providers of products like wills, who sell their products through charities with a profit-sharing component, which provides an additional source of income for these charities. MyEpilog LITE offers an additional, novel fundraising path by streamlining the process of making donations-in-lieu and offering value to potential donors.
Traditionally, donations in lieu have been an inefficient process relying on the relationships people have built over their lives. There are also professional intermediaries who take a cut to help raise funds. Even the advent of social media, websites and crowdfunding has not fully harnessed the fundraising potential. There are too many touch points and demands on time to ensure the money reaches its chosen destination.
Gifts and bequests are a predominant feature in most charities’ fundraising schemes. Donations have been declining and only a low percentage of the population currently gives.
Although it applicable globally, ProBono Australia’s website quotes Associate Professor Wendy Scaife, ACPNS Centre director, explaining a major reason causing donor hesitation:
“A big one is that many people believe they can’t afford to give, but there are also issues around trusting that the charities will spend the donation where they say they’re going to spend it, and issues around the cost of administration”
By allowing smaller donations from a larger network of people with minimal effort, a much bigger percentage of the population can be accessed due to the minimal nature of the donations requested.
Why we are doing this
Grant Leibbrandt
Throughout his career he has sought opportunities to create impact through his endeavours. This desire to make a difference has driven him to find unique approaches. During his growth into the world of tech start-ups, he realised the power of scalability, sustainability and unique business models to exceed his wildest dreams.
After witnessing the rapid decline of a grandmother due to dementia and then learning more about its incidence and effects, he realised this is a situation in which accurately recording words is just as important as practically any diagnosis.
He has worked with children's charities for many years and has devised strategies to leverage his traditional business to generate value and provide solar panels and portable "green" stoves to impoverished communities. He attempted to bring Singaporean numerical literacy "games" back to Southern Africa while pursuing his Master's degree in Entrepreneurship and Innovation, in addition to learning about the global phenomenon driving social entrepreneurship.
Soon after identifying the dire need to further improve fundraising methods through digital means, he began developing a solution to leverage donations-in-lieu using a viral effect.
This took shape, user interviews validated the theory and various business models were analysed to find a financially feasible option. A blended model was developed to ensure continuity and yet provide the impact he originally desired.
Jim Drivas
Jim has over a decade of experience as a digital specialist & UX/UI designer he has start-up experience as a founder and team member. His own words sadly convey how he has personally been impacted and reinforced the value of MyEpilog LITE in his eyes:
'I for one am a healthy 41 year old dad with 2 beautiful young children. For me, thinking about leaving behind my legacy or what I wish for, for when I am not around anymore is something I never really thought to consider.
That was until this year where my mum's terminal cancer is getting the better of her, and my father in-law having 2 major strokes, bed ridden, and with the ability to only speak short sentences and softly.
All of a sudden, I find myself discussing things that are extremely difficult to talk about, and as important as it is, it's really hard to even have the courage to ask questions such as "Mum, is there anything you might want for your funeral?", or be able to say "Dad, we've had some great times at the holiday house playing cards every night"... and gosh, I really would love to hear from my mum what her favourite memories might be.
I have always believed in and loved the idea of MyEpilog hence why I wanted to help Grant bring this product to life, however I never really understood what impact it could have on people until my personal life took a turn for the worst.
MyEpliog is exactly the right platform for this sort of thing. Giving someone a safe and easy way to express what they wish for, and/or possibly share some of their favourite memories. I really do genuinely wish to have this available to families as soon as possible as I am certain it will help make a positive difference to people going through the same emotions I currently am.'