THUNDER BAY –Wade Durham got the phone call much of Thunder Bay was waiting for on Friday morning, learning he was the big winner in the regional hospital’s monthly 50/50 draw.
Durham takes home the top prize of $731,215, the fourth largest given out since the first draw took place in February 2021.
“Oh my God,” Durham said, twice, after being told of his good fortune by Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation president and CEO Glenn Craig.
“That’s crazy. I would say you’re absolutely right in making my day.”
“It’s just shy of three-quarters of a million dollars. So that’s a pretty nice Friday afternoon gift,” Craig replied.
Durham, asked what he plans to do with the money, said the No. 1 priority is making sure his young children’s education needs are taken care of first. Then he plans to pay off some bills.
“There’s so much, so much you could do with that,” Durham said.
He said on the final Friday of each month, since the draw began, he’s joked with his wife that today’s the day.
“And obviously it’s come and it’s come and gone and I can actually call her now and tell her it’s actually the day.”
In 14 draws, the hospital foundation’s 50/50 has given out more than $10.7 million in grand prizes. The foundation keeps the other half, less expenses, and uses it to buy equipment for Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.
Tickets for April’s draw are on sale at www.thunderbay5050.ca to anyone in Ontario at the time of purchase.
The draw will take place on April 29. Additionally there will be $5,000 early-bird draws on April 1 and April 13, and $2,000 early-bird draws on April 8 and April 22.
