On June 1st at 11 am, Katherine and Victoria Martin of Goulais River, ON won the $253,880 jackpot in the Sault Area Hospital Foundation’s (SAHF) May electronic and online 50/50 draw. Their lucky number (S-3093729) was drawn electronically, and they were contacted immediately. In addition to this, Betty and Bob Ely of Port Hope, ON secured the bonus prize of the 2020 Toyota Supra, donated generously by Drs. Bijan and Simin Payandeh.
When the Foundation staff were able to get a hold of Katherine, she was in complete shock. Katherine is a Registered Nurse at Sault Area Hospital in the Algoma District Cancer Program (ADCP), and the first healthcare professional to win the grand prize in SAHF 50/50. The Foundation team tried to call her at work, but it was her day off. “I couldn’t believe it. I was not ready for it. My mom and I split on tickets so we were just shocked at the whole thing. My coworkers were curious as to why the Foundation had called the unit looking for me, so there has been a lot of excitement,” said Katherine of their 50/50 win.
When asked about their plans with the funds, the mother-daughter pair had a special idea for their winnings: “My dad had always planned to do more to our house,” said Katherine. “He was diagnosed with cancer at the same time I completed my nursing exam. I was fortunate enough to join the ADCP team right out of the nursing program, and was working there while he was in treatment. He unfortunately passed away, but I’m so proud to be part of that team, and able to care for our local patients. We are excited to use some of these funds to honour my dad, and do what he’d always wanted to do to our home – including renovating our kitchen, and building a camp for our family on some property we own.”
In addition to the 9th straight grand prize over $200,000 in the SAHF 50/50 draw was an incredible bonus prize: a 2020 Toyota Supra. This dream car of Drs. Bijan and Simin Payandeh was donated to help show appreciation to those that have been supporting the SAHF 50/50 for the past year-and-a-half. A thank you to everyone who has helped raise millions of dollars for our local healthcare. In that draw, Betty and Bob’s number was pulled. Betty has been purchasing SAHF 50/50 draws for months.
“I know I don’t live there, and won’t need the services of Sault Area Hospital, but I love Northern Ontario and I love these hospital draws,” said Betty. “If I’m going to spend my money on a lottery, I want it to go to good use. These draws are exactly what I like. I support a bunch now, but when I saw the SAHF 50/50, I was so impressed by the prizes, the cause I was supporting, and the way the entire community gets behind it. Every piece of equipment I see purchased makes me feel so proud to be part of it. I called my son, and he couldn’t believe I had won a car!” Drs. Bijan and Simin Payandeh were on the call to congratulate the lucky winners, and noted that their youngest son went to Trinity College in Port Hope (where Bob and Betty live), so the community held a special place in their hearts.
The draw on June 1st was the largest single day of prizes that Sault Area Hospital Foundation has ever given away. The grand prize and Toyota Supra together had a total prize value of over $328,000 – exceeding even our current 5 Car Draw!
“Every month, this draw is a highlight for our team and our community – and this month was special in more ways than one,” said Teresa Martone, Executive Director, Sault Area Hospital Foundation. “To have such an amazing vehicle to give away thanks to the Payandehs was just phenomenal. To have such a large jackpot, while also selling our long standing 5 Car Draw tickets, just shows how incredible this community’s support is. And, of course, to award the Martin family with over a quarter million dollars and to hear how they are going to use it is touching. We are so proud of every healthcare professional at Sault Area Hospital for their dedication to our patients, and Katherine’s story just echoes those values.”
SAHF 50/50 has awarded over $200,000 to nine straight monthly winners and are heading into their 20th monthly draw. They have awarded over $3.2 million in prizes to date.
Tickets for SAHF’s June 50/50 draw are already on sale, and the cash prize grows with every purchase. This month’s early bird draws are on:
From the time of purchase, tickets are eligible for all upcoming draws this month – including the grand prize draws at the end of the month. Tickets will be available for purchase until June 29th at 9 PM and the draw takes place on June 30th at 11 AM.
Congratulations to last month’s early bird winners: Sarah Foreman (S-5490451) and Raymond Wright - Group of 5 (S-1042487).
SAHF 50/50 tickets can be purchased by anyone 18+ years old within the province of Ontario at www.soo5050.ca. Visit the page regularly and follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/saultareahospitalfoundation) where the winning number reveal takes place live for each draw.
On behalf of the entire community, thank you to all who continue to support. When our hospital purchases medical equipment, we all win.
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