Belle Gibson claimed to have given a quarter of her profits to charity — but now, questions are being raised about how much of those donations were actually received.
The prominent cancer survivor and social media entrepreneur failed to turn over thousands of donated dollars to charity, as promised.
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Belle Gibson, the Melbourne-based creator of health and wellness app The Whole Pantry, was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer in 2010.
The 26-year-old mother attributes her survival to her healthy lifestyle — a philosophy which would come to shape her digital empire, including a successful app and cook book.
Last year, Ms Gibson claimed $300,000 of her profits had been given to five charities listed on her app – including Melbourne’s Asylum Seeker Resource Centre and One Girl.
She also claims in her book writes that “a large part of everything” earned is donated to various causes, Fairfax Media reports.
Fairfax reports that when questioned, Ms Gibson was unable to list the organisations to whom she had allegedly donated — and indeed, confirmed donations from Ms Gibson and The Whole Pantry add up to a mere $7000.
Some contributions were never made because app sales were not as high as forecast, the entrepreneur told Fairfax Media.
“We have not yet donated the naive, yet confident amount of $300,000, considering the very quickly [arising] issues with cash flow versus growth, providing content, managing external expectations,” she said.
“It was with nothing but good intention that we publicised that a percentage of profit from the app will be donated to charity. The intentions always were and still are to give back. The execution of this has obviously been flawed.”
Ms Gibson did, however, promise donations to some of those organisations — saying she would support the nominated causes “when the cash-flow management is stabilised”.
The Whole Pantry app has been downloaded 300,000 times, a portion of which were charged the app’s current cost of $3.79. It is also touted to be one of the first apps to be available on the upcoming Apple Watch.
Ms Gibson’s successful recipe books are available in Australia, and are set to debut in America and Britain this year.
The Whole Pantry Facebook page last night refuted Fairfax’s claims, stating that while the donations had not been processed, the not-for-profit organisation had “accounted” for more than $25,000 in donations to the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, as well as other donations to a family with an ill child and a non-profit Melbourne cafe.
We have, like all start ups, struggled with managing all facets of a new business, biting off more than we could chew, juggling internal and external priorities with little staff,” the Facebook post said.
“(I)n addition to thousands of dollars already donated or gifted to worthy causes, published and otherwise, all remaining promised donations and support will be honoured as soon as the finances are in order…
“TWP, is a for-profit company, but has great, enthusiastic intentions of giving back as much as possible to the organisations and charities which the TWP team and community support, respect and are passionate about.”
The Whole Pantry has been contacted for comment.
Top Comments
If she really was diagnosed with malignant brain cancer (Glioblastoma) 5 years ago then she would not be alive today. It's extremely aggressive and less than 5% live for 5 years. My husband died in less than 12 months. Or she's incredibly lucky.
which is it? She would not be alive today OR she is lucky. One in twenty survive 5 years.....
The whole pantry is the registered name of Belle Gibson as a sole trader not a company, it is not possible for her to 'hand the company to others'.
There are vast inconsistencies in Belle's health claims, leading many people to suspect she many not even be telling the truth about having cancer. She claims to have primary brain cancer that spread to her blood, something that is very unlikely to occur. She also casually mentions seizing for 40 minutes then is off overseas the next day when this length of seizing would lead to a lengthy ICU stay with the very real risk of death.
I don' know the truth but many parts of her story are literally unbelievable and I think she needs to clarify these points with the people who buy her app and listen to her health advice.
that's the bit I don't get either. for someone who is extremely terminally ill she has a schedule that would most of us gasping for air. I found it strange that after posting about having a seizure and hurting real bad , she is off to America not long after .