Heartwarming Ticket Purchase by Grandmother Delivers Best Christmas News to Grandson
Published Wednesday, December 23, 2020
Sheamus Elvish was in complete shock when he received a phone call with the news that he won $28,090 in this year’s Intercity Shopping Centre 50/50 Cash Draw, with winning ticket number 1961. It was the largest jackpot in the draw’s history. “Oh my goodness, I’m shaking right now,” he said. “Thank you so much!” Luckily for him, his grandmother, Odene, purchased his ticket at Intercity Shopping Centre a few months ago when the draw started, with hopes that Sheamus would win. “He’s doing an apprenticeship in Toronto,” she said, “and he could really use the money. When I bought the ticket I told him ‘I have a feeling you might win’.”
This year’s draw started in October and, incredibly, was sold out by mid November. The proceeds from the draw will be directed to the Our Hearts At Home Cardiovascular Campaign to bring life- and limb-saving cardiovascular surgery to Northwestern Ontario. “There’s nothing more important than knowing family and friends can surround a loved one when they need these critical surgical services,” said Elaine Graydon, Manager, Special Events, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation. “Right now, we have a full complement of vascular surgeons who are providing 24/7 vascular surgery, including performing procedures like the minimally-invasive repair of aortic aneurysms – a life-threatening event. Additionally the surgeons are working with the Rapid Access Vascular Examination clinic, connecting care partners across the north to provide faster to vascular care, ultimately helping to reduce the number of amputations in our region. The next step is to bring cardiac surgery here and, thanks to Intercity Shopping Centre and everyone who purchased a ticket in this year’s draw, that will soon be a reality.”
In the draw’s incredible 21-year history, over $250,000 has been raised for local healthcare. Stacey Ball, General Manager, Intercity Shopping Centre commented, “The need to replace healthcare equipment at our Hospital is constant. It’s why we’re so proud to continue the tradition of this annual draw to ensure that our community and those who live in the surrounding areas have access to excellent healthcare close to home. I think, especially around the holidays, our thoughts turn to being close to family, and there’s no more important time to have family close by then when we need the care the Hospital can provide.”
The Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation and Intercity Shopping Centre wish to thank all those who purchased tickets this year. Lottery license M835539.
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For more information, please contact:
Heather Vita
Director, Marketing and Communications
Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation
Tel: 684-7111 Cell: 631-3793
E-mail: Heather.Vita@healthsciencesfoundation.ca
www.healthsciencesfoundation.ca www.ourheartsathome.ca