2nd annual 'Debt Gala' in Brooklyn helps relieve medical debt

BROOKLYN, N.Y. (PIX11) -- The second annual Debt Gala had around 250 people, and there were various designers and performers, including comedians and a brass band.

The proceeds will relieve millions in debt while also looking to raise awareness for a change. Plenty of fun outfits were seen on the red carpet. Sunday night's theme, sleeping baddies: slumber party.

“Everyone is here wearing upcycle sleepwear and upcycle materials that celebrate creativity and looks,” said John Costello, founder of the Debt Gala.

According to organizers, the event is an accessible and inclusive alternative to the Met Gala. Last year, it raised over $15,000, which helped relieve medical debt for over a thousand families. This year’s funds will be divided equally between the two organizations.

“Dollar helps people give charity care, which is for people nonprofit hospitals and the other half goes to debt collective, which helps people do advocacy work around medical debt,” said Costello.

Some performers have experienced the heavy financial burden of being hospitalized, like Joyelle Nicole Johnson.

“I had A hysterectomy last year due to fibroids, and I had $100,000 bill, and lucky i have insurance,” Johnson said. “I still owe a couple of thousand dollars, and that’s not easy for more people to pay.”

Providers like Alison Gould also support the cause and ensure that her services are accessible to the community she works for.

“It's so prohibited if you have no insurance, bad insurance to see a general doctor for a routine checkup because the cost can feel so astronomical when you are in apposition that you don’t have the financial resources,” Gould said.

The event has been so successful that they already have another debt gala lined up for May 2025. The two organizations benefiting from this event are Dollar for & Debt Collective, a union of debtors, and getting relief from hospital bills.