WRAL 5 On Your Side viewer pays off Fayetteville woman's medical bill

Earlier this month, Cecelia Cox reached out to 5 On Your Side after her medical debt was taken over by debt collections agency. Cox was frustrated and confused because she’d been making $100 payments on the bill each month.

'Thank you so much': WRAL 5 On Your Side gets medical debt reversed for Fayetteville woman

Cape Fear Valley Health explained that it handed Cox’s bill over after she failed to step up a payment plan. After 5 On Your Side stepped in, Cox’s bill was returned back to Cape Fear Valley Health. She still owed money, but it was no longer with a debt collector.

A viewer saw the story and decided to take things one step further. The viewer contacted 5 On Your Side and offered to pay the bill.

The viewer asked to remain anonymous and explained that his motivation to help Cox came from the fact that she was doing the right thing and paying down the bill.

WRAL 5 On Your Side’s Keely Arthur reached out to Cox to let her know the good news.

“Do you still owe on that bill?” Arthur asked.

“Yes, ma’am,” Cox said. “It’s at $743.62.”

Arthur told Cox about the viewer’s generosity to pay the entire bill.

Cox began to cry and couldn’t believe the viewer’s selflessness.

“It reinforces that there are still plenty of good people out there,” Cox said. “I hope that he can receive the joy he has given and hope that others can learn from his example.”

Cox said that the biggest learning lesson for her in all of this is to get on a payment plan. That’s something everyone who has a medical bill should do. Get on a payment plan, even if you’re just pay a very small amount.

A few days later, the anonymous donor paid the entire bill.