Topics: Money, Social Media, Twitter, YouTube, Health
YouTuber MrBeast is receiving an outpouring of support online after someone figured out how much he spent on curing 1,000 people's blindness.
MrBeast, real name Jimmy Donaldson, may have left followers divided over his recreation of iconic Korean Netflix series Squid Game, but unlike some other millionaires across the globe, at least he's dishing back out huge sums of his wealth to those who need it most - even if they do have to partake in some bizarre game.
In his latest YouTube video, uploaded yesterday (Sunday, 29 January), the world's richest and most followed content creator revealed he's helped 1,000 blind people 'see for the first time'.
Advert
But how much did it all cost?
In the video, a doctor explained: "Half of all the blindness in the world is people who need a 10-minute surgery."
Donaldson continued: "If you're wondering how the surgery allows people to see again, it's because the lens in their eyes is so cloudy that they can't see through it.
"So the surgeon uses a tiny vacuum to suck up the clouded lens. And replace it with an artificial one. The surgery is that simple! They can see again."
Despite the surgery being 'that simple', the reason more blind people don't receive it is ultimately because of its financial impact.
Luckily for Donaldson - who was reported by Forbes as having earned a whopping $54 million (£43m) in 2021 - money isn't an issue.
The 24-year-old YouTuber subsequently decided to give 1,000 people a helping hand and pay for all of their surgeries.
Known to spend hefty sums on his videos - his recreation of Squid Game having set him back a whopping $4 million - one fan hopped online to work out how much the gift of sight for 1,000 people cost MrBeast.
According to their search results, the cost of curing 1,000 people's blindness ultimately depends 'on several factors such as location, type of procedure, insurance coverage and surgeon experience'.
However, the post notes that 'assuming an average cost of $5,000 (£4,000) per eye, the cost of curing 1,000 people's blindness would be $5 million (£4 mil)' - even though this would, in fact, total $10 million.
Although the post continues: "This estimate is rough and can vary greatly depending on the specific circumstances of each patient. It is best to consult with healthcare providers and insurance companies for more accurate cost estimates."
While $5 million barely scratches the surface of MrBeast's staggering net worth, people are still flocking to social media to praise the content creator for the remarkably caring and thoughtful gesture.
One said: "He truly is a good person."
"A+. You are an easy guy to root for," another commented.
A third wrote: "Keep making a difference bro."
A final resolved: "This was one of the best things I've ever seen. Bravo to you and your team."
MrBeast even got a nod from British optical retail chain Specsavers, with the company commenting: "Simply incredible."
