Hospital 50/50 winners 'grateful for this blessing'

NEWS RELEASE
SAULT AREA HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
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On April 30 at 11 a.m., Marielle and Jean-Guy Bourgault of Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. won the $208,432.50 jackpot in the Sault Area Hospital Foundation’s (SAHF) April electronic and online 50/50 draw. Their lucky number (R-4989737) was drawn electronically, and they were contacted immediately.

Marielle answered the phone this month with complete shock. “I started purchasing last year because our family has seen how important local healthcare is. You don’t realize how important not only healthcare is, but local healthcare, until your family experiences it firsthand,” said Marielle.

The Bourgaults have experienced care both in Sault Ste. Marie and travelling outside our district. “There is no comparison. You can receive great care anywhere, but there is nothing like having a hospital with all the equipment and the great doctors and nurses right here in the Soo.”

The Bourgaults don’t have any immediate plans for their winnings. “We are going to live comfortably, share with our family, and just be grateful for this blessing,” said Marielle.

“Marielle’s statement echoes our entire mission as a Foundation: we are driven to keep as many patients as possible in our community for care. When patients are able to stay in Sault Ste. Marie, it reduces stress and improves outcomes. In those critical care moments, it could mean quicker access to care and less complications down the road. In other cases, it reduces the burdens of travel and ensures local family support is in place,” said Teresa Martone, Executive Director, Sault Area Hospital Foundation.

“We can only keep people in our community for care when we have the tools to provide that care here. Community support of these 50/50 draws is helping us raise a portion of the $5 million we need each year to keep our equipment up-to-date. We so appreciate the support of families like the Bourgaults, who choose to help our hospital by buying these tickets.”

SAHF 50/50 has awarded over $200,000 to eight straight monthly winners and, at the time of this release, the monthly prize for May is already over $70,000! This month’s draw brings an exciting new addition: as announced earlier in the month, a bonus grand prize draw is available to win thanks to a generous donation from Drs. Bijan and Simin Payandeh. On June 1 there will be two grand prize draws: the cash prize (50 per cent of ticket sales), and the bonus additional draw for a brand new 2020 Toyota Supra.

Tickets for SAHF’s May 50/50 draw are already on sale, and the cash prize grows with every purchase. This month’s early bird draws are on:

Early Bird Draw #1 – May 6 at 11 a.m. Prize $2,000 cash
Early Bird Draw #2 – May 13 at 11 a.m. Prize $2,000 cash

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 May 31 at 9 p.m. and the draw takes place on June 1 at 11 a.m.

Congratulations to last month’s early bird winners:  Adela Chilelli (R-2361290​) & Patricia Latham (R-5633973).

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 equipment like this, we all win.

April Licence # 1198523
May Licence # 1203408

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