“We're Doing Even More, Even Faster” Thanks to Christmas 50/50
Published Thursday, December 14, 2023
“We’re Doing Even More, Even Faster” Thanks to Christmas 50/50
The Tremendous Impact Thunder Bay 50/50 Has on Regional Healthcare
On December 29, some lucky person will become an instant multi-millionaire when they win the Christmas 50/50 Grand Prize of $2 million or more!
But the fact is, we all win with every Christmas 50/50 ticket purchased.
“I think people are starting to realize the impact the Thunder Bay 50/50 Draw truly has on regional healthcare,” said Glenn Craig, President & CEO of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation. “Its success over the last several years has meant we’ve been able to purchase equipment and fund programs – and fund them sooner – that wouldn’t have been possible otherwise.
“Success doesn’t mean we’re done. Success means we’re doing more, faster to bring closer-to-home care to patients across Northwestern Ontario,” he said.
This year, proceeds from Thunder Bay 50/50 have funded several projects including a new real-time X-ray machine to help surgeons with guided imagery for safer operations, new equipment for the Cancer Centre’s Radiation Therapy program to improve patient safety, and a new Radialis unit, a homegrown alternative to mammography that uses nuclear medicine to pinpoint breast cancer tumours with greater accuracy for some women.
The Health Sciences Foundation will be providing a record amount in Hospital funding in 2023/24 – funding that is, in part, thanks to your support of the Thunder Bay 50/50 Draw. “Now, we will be doing even more, even faster thanks to the Christmas 50/50 Draw,” Craig said.
Dreaming Bigger, Thinking Bigger
Success also means we can dream bigger and think bigger when it comes to healthcare. Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is one great example. This is quickly becoming the Gold Standard because of less cutting during surgery, reduced risk of complications including infection, and faster recovery times. But costs associated with this new MIS technology make transitioning more difficult. Our Hospital is upgrading faster thanks to your ticket purchases.
This is just one of many, many examples. Over the next year, proceeds from the Christmas 50/50 alone will go towards projects such as a new Cardiac Cath Lab for heart procedures including angioplasties, Emergency Department renovations, and construction and equipping a new Cardiovascular Surgery Wing.
Cardiac surgery in particular illustrates why being able to do more is so important. There have been revolutionary advances in the last decade or so. But those advances also mean higher costs. The Christmas 50/50 Draw and the success of the Thunder Bay 50/50 in general will mean we can bring this new Gold Standard to Thunder Bay faster, so more people can get better care closer to home.
“Our goal has always been to bring the best healthcare possible to Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario,” Craig said. “Travelling for healthcare adds one more stress and complication you don’t need when you should be focused on getting better.”
That includes healthcare throughout the region. The Health Sciences Foundation has provided millions of dollars over the years to support closer-to-home programs in Northwestern Ontario such as the Regional Renal Program, Regional Cancer Program, and Tamarack House, a home away from home for cancer patients in the region undergoing radiation and other treatments.
Don’t miss out on your opportunity to win a minimum $2 million AND support the best possible healthcare programs in the region. Visit thunderbay5050.ca or visit the Christmas 50/50 Pop-up Store in the Food Court at Intercity Shopping Centre until December 28. Early Bird Draws start November 29, so get your tickets now!