50/50 Winners Natalie and Nick Pace “Just Wanted to Support the Hospital”
Published Monday, January 9, 2023
by Graham Strong
One week later and Natalie Pace is still in disbelief.
“I never thought I’d win – I just wanted to do something good for the Hospital!” she said. But win they did. Natalie and her husband Nick are taking home December’s Thunder Bay 50/50 Draw Grand Prize of $2,530,500. The tax-free cash prize is the largest in Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation history – and the largest 50/50 win ever in Thunder Bay.
“I was going to ask if it was a joke, but maybe it’s not a joke!” Nick said when the couple got the call from Health Sciences Foundation President and CEO Glenn Craig on Friday, December 29.
Still, it was a quiet New Year’s spent at home with family, just as they planned.
“Honestly, it hasn’t sunk in yet,” Natalie said. “I haven’t thought long-term yet – we’re still going through our daily routines. I’m still working in the office; I’m still doing laundry.”
Natalie and Nick started buying Thunder Bay 50/50 tickets when the draw first launched as a way to support the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.
“It is nice that the money goes to a good cause, and we are happy to be a part of it,” Nick said.
“The Hospital here in Thunder Bay has been amazing to us and our family,” Natalie said. “I thought that if I could help somebody by buying tickets, I was proud to support it.”
Born and raised in Thunder Bay, Natalie and Nick have seen the Hospital grow over the years. Today, more people than ever in Thunder Bay and across Northwestern Ontario can get the care they need, closer to home. “This draw allows us to have more equipment and services here locally and regionally. It’s a win-win situation for everyone – we all benefit from it,” Natalie said.
Cardiac and cancer care are particularly close to Natalie’s heart. She appreciated the fact though that proceeds from December’s Thunder Bay 50/50 went directly to supporting the Emergency Department – an area people don’t always think about until they need it.
“If we didn’t have such a great Emergency Department, I don’t know what we’d do. Every time we’ve had to go there, we’ve always been treated well. It’s nice to know that there are people there who want to help you when you really need it,” she said.
One thing Natalie does have planned: she’ll continue to support the Hospital by buying tickets for January’s draw.
“You know, it’s funny, Nick just asked me this morning if I’m buying more tickets. Even though we already won, it’s more about supporting our Hospital. The Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre and the staff are a great gift to us here in Northwestern Ontario and it cannot be taken for granted! So yes, I’m definitely buying more tickets.”
Congratulations to Natalie, Nick, and the whole Pace family!
Buy your tickets for January’s Thunder Bay 50/50 draw at: thunderbay5050.ca. There are three $5,000 Early Bird prizes yet to be drawn. The grand prize draw takes place Friday, January 27th.