Over 1,800 people receive medical debt relief out of the blue 

Atlanta, GA – April 22, 2026 – Sports journalist, producer and philanthropist Taylor Rooks’ foundation, the Taylor Rooks Foundation (TRF), is proud to announce that $2,149,889 of un-payable medical debt belonging to 1,805 Atlanta families has been erased thanks to a donation from the foundation.  

Taylor shared the announcement on social media including why medical debt relief is an issue close to her heart. She chose to focus this effort on Gwinnet County where she was born and raised.  

“My baby sister has type 1 diabetes, so I know firsthand how medical bills can pile up,” said Taylor. “Sometimes it can feel like you’re drowning and it can seem like you have nothing you can do about it. That’s why I’m so grateful that TRF and Undue were able to purchase and relieve the medical debt of more than 1,800 people in a community that means so much to me.” She adds, “This kind of relief has real impact. It eases financial stresses that many carry with them silently and gives people the ability to focus on their health, their families and everything that comes next.”  

In partnership with national nonprofit, Undue Medical Debt, burdensome medical debt has been purchased in bundled portfolios at a fraction of its face value for pennies on the dollar from providers like hospitals and collection agencies. One dollar donated erases, on average, $100 of medical debt. To date the nonprofit has erased over $40 billion of medical debt in every state for over 27 million families.  

Medical debt is the leading cause of bankruptcy in the U.S. and, beyond a financial burden, those with debt are three times more likely to struggle with mental health issues like anxiety or depression. Families of color are especially vulnerable to medical debt with Black adults 50% more likely, and Hispanic adults 35% more likely, to owe money for healthcare compared to white adults.  

Recipients of medical debt relief are being notified with Undue Medical Debt branded envelopes arriving in the mail now. Debt relief is source-based, meaning the nonprofit can only erase medical debts from partners like health systems. As such, debt relief cannot be requested.  

To ensure medical debt relief is going to those most burdened, recipients qualify by either: having income at or below four times (400%) of the federal poverty level (roughly $100,000 for a family of three) or having medical debt that’s 5% or more one’s annual income. To learn more about the nonprofit’s model: www.unduemedicaldebt.org/faq + https://youtu.be/Z8Ws6fgtoZA 

#  #  # 

The Taylor Rooks Foundation strives to empower underserved communities by meeting their overlooked needs with dignity, care and action. Inspired by Taylor’s own journey and the people and stories she has encountered, TRF is committed to expanding access to education, health, and opportunity for Black and Brown individuals and families. 

Through direct giving, local partnerships, and a commitment to storytelling, TRF is building a future rooted in equity, where everyone has the resources to not just survive but to build a better tomorrow.