Goal of erasing at least $5 Million of medical debt by the season’s end, Lively targets relief to Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Texas
Dallas, TX – October 29, 2025 – Dallas Mavericks center, Dereck Lively II, is giving back to the communities that have helped shape him by partnering with national nonprofit Undue Medical Debt to erase burdensome medical debts in Pennsylvania, where he grew up, in North Carolina, where he played for Duke University, and in Texas where he’s a star center for the Mavericks. His goal is to erase $5 million in medical debt for families in need.
In a first-of-its-kind season-long initiative, Blocks for a Cause, for each block that Lively makes during the ‘25 – ’26 season, he will donate $100 to Undue Medical Debt, which will erase at least $10,000 of medical debt for the most burdened, with no criteria beyond financial need, reflecting the widespread nature of this crisis. Lively is bringing unprecedented attention to this silent epidemic, encouraging others to join him in erasing unpayable debts of necessity.
“I know first-hand how overwhelming it can be to deal with medical bills and debt, especially while navigating a serious medical issue for yourself or a loved one,” said Lively. “Undue approached me with this incredible opportunity to bring relief to families in the communities that have shaped and supported me through my toughest times, and I’m honored to be able to use my talents as a defender on the court to help my communities off the court.”
“We’re honored to be partnering with Dereck on this unique and impactful campaign, which couldn’t be timelier as the burden of the medical debt crisis grows on over 100 million families struggling to make ends meet,” shares Undue Medical Debt president and CEO Allison Sesso. “With every block, Dereck is affirming that no one should have their life ruined because they got sick. He’s honoring his mother’s memory and, in sharing some of his story, helping others feel less alone. We’re excited for the NBA season and hope others will join Dereck in this essential work.”
Undue Medical Debt has identified billions of dollars of qualifying medical debt across PA, NC and TX that could be erased by Lively’s inspiring campaign — over $5 billion in Texas alone. As such, he’s inviting fans, supporters, and partners to contribute to his campaign. In support of Lively’s charitable endeavors, the Dallas Mavericks will donate $10,000 to this worthy cause. With a $10 donation erasing $1,000 of medical debt, anyone can have an outsized impact on this pressing crisis: https://unduemedicaldebt.org/campaign/blocks-into-blessings/
Undue Medical is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that uses donated funds to purchase qualifying portfolios of medical debt in bulk for pennies on the dollar, meaning one dollar donated, on average, erases $100 of medical debt. It specifically buys past-due medical debts for those most burdened. Individuals who qualify for debt relief must have incomes that are either four times (400%) or below the federal poverty level (around $100,000/year for a family of three) or have medical debt that’s 5% or more of their annual income. Debt relief is source-based, meaning the nonprofit must acquire qualifying medical debts from partners like hospitals, physicians’ groups or collection agencies — as such medical debt relief cannot be requested.
The state of medical debt:
- Over 100 million people in the U.S. struggle with the burden of at least $220 billion of medical debt
- Almost half of cancer patients (42%) depleted their entire live savings by the second year of treatment
- Medical debt weighs heaviest on communities already facing inequities. Black adults are 50% more likely, and Hispanic adults 35% more likely, to owe money for healthcare than white adults
- More than one in four adults (28%) delayed, skipped or rationed care due to fears around cost
- To date, Undue Medical Debt has erased over $22 billion of medical debt for over 14 million families
As the campaign raises funds for debt relief, there will be future announcements when letters are being sent to recipients. The good news that some or all of a family’s medical debt is being erased will arrive in an Undue Medical Debt branded envelope out of the blue. Recipients don’t need to take any action.
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ABOUT DERECK LIVELY II
Dereck Lively II is a professional basketball player and versatile center for the Dallas Mavericks. After being selected 12th overall in the 2023 NBA Draft, he was named to the All-Rookie Second Team and helped the Mavericks make a 2024 NBA Finals appearance in his first NBA season.
Born in Philadelphia, PA, Dereck garnered national recognition and accolades during high school, becoming both a McDonald’s All-American and a five-star recruit. He was also ranked as the number one overall player on the ESPN 100 for the class of 2022. He received first-team all-state honors and was pivotal in leading Westtown School to a state championship during his senior year, earning him the Gatorade State Player of the Year. At the collegiate level, Dereck joined Duke University for the 2022-2023 season. As a freshman, he earned inclusion on the ACC All-Freshman Team, ACC All-Defensive Team, and second-team All-ACC Tournament Team. Beyond his on-court achievements, Dereck has inspired people everywhere with his joyful spirit and resilience in the face of loss and adversity. Off the court, his hobbies and passions include building LEGOS, collecting exotic fish, and working with his partners like NIKE to give back to youth, families impacted by cancer and local communities.