A Hanmer couple in Greater Sudbury is celebrating a windfall of $6.4 million after winning the 2024 Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation’s 50/50 draw. Natalie Bigras and her husband Clem were stunned to learn they had scooped the grand prize, with Natalie exclaiming, “This is absolutely going to change everything.”
Their decision to purchase tickets was driven by a desire to support local healthcare, particularly after Natalie’s personal experience caring for her father at home with hospice care. Emotional over the phone call announcing their win, Natalie expressed gratitude and overwhelming joy.
Glenn Craig, the president and CEO of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation, shared the couple’s excitement, describing the experience of delivering such life-changing news as indescribable and a privilege.
The annual fundraiser, initiated in 2021 to raise funds for hospital equipment and programs during the COVID-19 pandemic, has now awarded over $50 million in prizes, with each year’s draw surpassing the previous one. Craig highlighted the crucial role of the fundraiser in providing essential resources for hospital professionals.
The 2024 campaign exceeded expectations by hitting a record-breaking $6,436,355 just before the deadline, making it the largest hospital 50/50 draw in Canada. Additionally, it set a new record as the largest 50/50 in Ontario’s history and the second-largest in Canada, following the Edmonton Oilers’ draw in the previous year’s Stanley Cup Final.
The success of the fundraiser showcases the community’s strong support for healthcare initiatives, with funds going towards vital equipment and programs to enhance local healthcare services.
