Two years ago come January, the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation launched its Thunder Bay 50/50 draw.
As COVID-19 restrictions continued, putting many of their traditional fundraising events and activities on hiatus, the Foundation needed to find a new way to continue their mission of supporting the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.
With this month representing their 23rd jackpot draw, the 50/50 campaign has spurred a record level of investment into the hospital, providing new state-of-the-art equipment to improve patient care.
While the community has rallied around the Foundation’s larger initiatives — including for regional cancer care and the continuing Our Hearts at Home campaign for cardiovascular surgery here in Northwestern Ontario — the buzz surrounding the 50/50 campaign has heightened awareness of the role the Foundation plays in supporting the hospital’s day-to-day operations.
The ongoing success of the 50/50 campaign is helping hospital leaders dream bigger, with a $3-million emergency department project on the horizon. In fact, the proceeds of this December’s 50/50 draw are going to supporting this ED project.
For those who have been fortunate enough to be on the receiving end of a phone call from Foundation President & CEO Glenn Craig, informing them of their win, the windfall has often been life changing.
“Many have said that it couldn’t have come at a better time,” Craig says. “Getting to make that phone call is so gratifying.”
In Thunder Bay, and Northwestern Ontario, most people are just one person, or maybe two, away from knowing somebody who has claimed a monthly grand prize. The excitement is visible with the constant stream of congratulations that follows the announcement of every new winner.
The winner of this month’s draw will get quite the belated Christmas gift. The grand prize surpassed the $1-million mark on Dec. 6 — becoming its quickest to hit that milestone — and continues to grow.
The December 50/50 draw takes place December 30th and now stands at over $1.7 million.
