Matt Damon has become the latest celebrity to chip in to a fundraiser helping people pay their medical bills.
First launched in December by Veronica Mars actress Kristen Bell and internet personality Tommy Marcus, better known as Quentin Quarantino, the page raises awareness of different health-related fundraisers.
Once enough people have donated enough money to reach the halfway point of an individual fundraiser’s target, Damon and Bell will pay in the rest to get them over the line.
Matt Damon poses at the opening night of Lincoln Center Theater’s “McNeal” on September 30, 2024 in New York City. He has contributed to a fundraiser for people’s medical bills.
Bruce Glikas/WireImage
Damon and his wife, Luciana, are matching donations up to $100,000.
Newsweek contacted Damon’s representatives by email for comment.
Within 45 minutes of announcing the initiative in December, Bell and Marcus had raised more than $100,000 in donations.
“I’m blown away by what this is becoming. We’ve essentially raised over $100k in about 45 minutes of combined crowdfunding. I’m so grateful to all of you for participating in this (there is MUCH more to come!) and so thankful to @kristenanniebellf or not only listening to my idea, but adding to its effectiveness on such a large scale,” Marcus wrote.
He added that it was “depressing” that people needed to turn to fundraising pages such as, GoFundMe, to pay for essential health care but until they can “change the system” people “have the power to help in small ways.”
“This is the current reality. All we can do is be the helpers,” he added.
-The pair spoke about their unique initiative in an interview with People magazine in December.
“Something needs to be done, and this is my something,” Bell said.
They revealed they brainstormed the idea together after Marcus messaged Bell to ask for help.
“I get so many tragic health insurance related GoFundMes sent to me per week,” he wrote to Bell. “Was wondering if you’d be interested in joining along starting tomorrow. Literally zero pressure if any part of that is uncomfortable for you, as you know my followers are already super generous but could be a big extra boost if they see us collabbing, cause, y’know, you’re you.”
“How can I give 100,000 to people who need it for medical bills? I want to make sure we do it in the best way how do we do it?” she replied to Marcus, and then he suggested he would crowdfund half of the amounts needed through his popularity as an online influence and she could donate the remaining sum.
YouTuber Doctor Mike has also joined the campaign.
Marcus has regularly used his platform to raise money for others and causes he believes in, including supporting military veterans who served in Afghanistan and Planned Parenthood.
