Matt Damon Joins Kristen Bell in Medical Debt Relief Effort

LOS ANGELES — Hollywood stars Matt Damon and Kristen Bell are teaming up with internet personality Tommy Marcus to help families struggling with medical debt. Damon and his wife, Luciana, have pledged to match donations up to $100,000 for the initiative, which aims to cover medical expenses for those in need.

The effort began when Bell and Marcus, known online as Quentin Quarantino, launched a campaign to raise funds for families facing overwhelming healthcare costs. Through GoFundMe, they have been posting daily fundraisers, each targeting $100,000. Once a fundraiser reaches its halfway point, Bell and Damon step in to cover the remaining amount.

“We want to make a real difference for families who are drowning in medical bills,” said Bell, who has already contributed nearly $25,000 to help one family in Minnesota. Damon echoed her sentiment, stating, “No one should have to choose between their health and financial stability.”

The initiative has already made a significant impact. In Hastings, Minnesota, Alana and Murilo Romao, an immigrant couple, received critical support after Murilo was diagnosed with Ph+ acute lymphoblastic blood cancer. Their medical bills had surpassed $500,000, and insurance complications due to their immigrant status left them struggling to cover costs.

“They said, ‘We will go with all, full force, like we will try to kill you without killing you,'” Alana recalled of her husband’s aggressive chemotherapy treatments. With the help of Bell and Marcus, the Romaos were able to meet their $50,000 fundraising goal, providing a much-needed reprieve from their financial burden.

The campaign highlights the growing reliance on crowdfunding to address medical debt in the U.S., where healthcare costs remain a leading cause of financial hardship. According to a 2023 study, medical debt affects nearly 1 in 5 Americans, with many turning to platforms like GoFundMe for assistance.

Damon and Bell hope their involvement will inspire others to contribute. “Every donation, no matter how small, can change a life,” Bell said. The initiative continues to accept contributions, with plans to assist more families in the coming months.