By John Ikani
A woman from New York City, Casey McIntyre, who succumbed to ovarian cancer, has left a remarkable legacy by raising substantial funds to alleviate the medical debts burdening many.
In a poignant social media post strategically timed for release after her death, the 38-year-old urged her followers to contribute to her admirable cause.
She wrote on social media: “If you’re reading this I have passed away.”
“I loved each and every one of you with my whole heart, and I promise you, I knew how deeply I was loved… to celebrate my life, I’ve arranged to buy up others’ medical debt and then destroy the debt.”
Grateful for the top-notch medical care she received during her battle with stage four ovarian cancer, McIntyre aimed to ensure that others could access similar quality healthcare.
By Friday night, McIntyre, along with her family, had amassed over $160,000 (£128,000) for her campaign in collaboration with the non-profit RIP Medical Debt.
The organization, which erases a dollar of medical debt for every penny donated, effectively eliminated $16 million in outstanding medical bills through McIntyre’s initiative.
Estimates from the health research non-profit KFF suggest that approximately 100 million Americans grapple with medical debt.
The announcement of McIntyre’s passing on social media included plans for a memorial service and “debt jubilee” in New York City’s Prospect Park in December.
At the event, her family intends to anonymously purchase and forgive others’ medical debt as a tribute to her life.
McIntyre, a book publisher, commenced her battle with ovarian cancer in 2019 and passed away last Sunday. She is survived by her husband and 18-month-old daughter.
During the last five months of her life spent in hospice care across Virginia, Rhode Island, and New York, McIntyre cherished moments with friends and family, describing them as “magical.”
In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, her husband, Andrew Rose Gregory, expressed their enduring love and the ongoing search for her presence: “Casey. We love you, we miss you, you are gone, you are with us, we will be looking for you everywhere 3”.
