Jimmy “MrBeast” Donaldson is an American YouTuber known for crazy stunts and charitable actions. He recently changed the lives of 1,000 people by providing them with an important surgery. However, some viewers are shocked that such a thing is even necessary.
What kind of YouTuber is he? MrBeast is mainly known for 2 types of videos:
- strange actions, such as counting to 100,000 for over 40 hours or recreating the Netflix series “Squid Game” in real life.
- Videos where he generously gifts the needy or supports charitable projects, like planting 20 million trees.
This mix is well-received: in 2022, MrBeast surpassed the Swede PewDiePie as the most subscribed individual on YouTube. Now he is using his money again for good by paying for a life-changing surgery for 1,000 people – highlighting huge injustices in the process.
MrBeast “heals” 1,000 people
How has MrBeast helped people? The YouTuber teamed up with ophthalmologist and surgeon Jeff Levenson and the nonprofit SEE International, which offers free eye treatments to needy patients around the world.
A total of 1,000 people in the USA, as well as Jamaica, Honduras, Namibia, Mexico, Indonesia, Brazil, Vietnam, and Kenya were selected, who were restricted by cataracts and had no or only limited access to medical care.
This lens clouding can, however, be treated with a procedure that takes only a few minutes: a small incision is made to remove the cloudy lens and replace it with an artificial lens.
The procedure is usually outpatient, and patients can go home after a short rest period (via Ober Scharrer Gruppe).
Within about 3 weeks, these 1,000 patients received the free surgery that restored their eyesight. Some recipients received additional gifts like cash or a brand new Tesla.
Can you see that? On Saturday, January 28, MrBeast will post an eight-minute video introducing the project and showing emotional before/after footage of the patients who can see clearly for the first time in many years. For some patients, who had suffered from lens clouding since birth, it was even the first time in their lives.
The video has already received 44 million views and 4.4 million likes. We have embedded it for you here:
What are the reactions like? Initially, they are extremely positive. Many people are moved by the video and the joy of the patients. MrBeast is considered the greatest content creator for helping so many needy people, as stated in the comments on YouTube and Twitter.
This is finally an influencer using his wealth and influence for good. Some viewers are particularly impressed by the development MrBeast made over the years: he started with “funny videos in his backyard,” now he is changing people’s lives (via YouTube).
However, others find the video rather disturbing, as it highlights serious injustices in society.
Medical care behind a “paywall”
What is the criticism? A clip from political streamer Hasan “HasanAbi” Piker, who reacted to the video alongside YouTuber Rachell “Valkyrae” Hofstetter, perfectly illustrates the different viewpoints: while Valkyrae is deeply moved by the sight, Hasan explains that the video fills him with anger.
The YouTuber cannot initially understand that, asking what is wrong with him.
You see this video and say: “Aww, how sweet, how nice.” I watch this video and am full of anger. We have blocked access to a 10-minute procedure because we put a paywall in between and decided that some people just cannot have it.
HasanAbi
Access to medical care cannot depend on a “YouTube guy” deciding to create content out of people who are too poor to see. This is a deeply frustrating concept, says HasanAbi. We have embedded the clip for you here:
MrBeast could set the wheels in motion
In fact, the surgeon involved in the eye surgeries explains that half of all blind people worldwide are individuals who only need a 10-minute procedure. This likely affects nearly 200 million people.
However, he hopes that the video by MrBeast will inspire others to advocate for eliminating unnecessary blindness.
If MrBeast can ignite a fire and if we can get government and private support for it, we can cure half of all blindness in the world. Without high costs and with an incredible gain in human productivity and potential.
SEE International, the organization for which Levenson serves as medical director, also received a donation of $100,000 from MrBeast. This may be a first step to help many more people.
The response also shows that many people desire more social engagement from influencers.
