Meet the big winners of the northern hospital 50-50s

The long weekend started off with some exciting news for the August winners of four northeastern Ontario hospital cash lotteries.

Jackpot draws for the hospital 50/50s in Sudbury, North Bay, Timmins and Sault Ste. Marie took place on Friday.

Kristopher Valley took home the biggest of the four jackpots, winning $372,870 in the Health Sciences North (HSN) Foundation draw in Sudbury.

Lottery officials had a hard time contacting the Sault Ste. Marie man -- call after call went to voicemail.

“Because of Kris' work schedule and being out of town, we may not get a photo until later this week,” Shane Gordon, of HSN Foundation, told CTVNewsNorthernOntario.ca in a social media message Tuesday morning.

His winning ticket number is AY-9979771.

Group of neighbours

A group of 10 neighbours from Kapuskasing is sharing the second largest hospital 50/50 jackpot in the region.

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Louise Huet-Lamontagne bought the winning ticket AV-45666432 with Don, Randy, Pauline, Colette, Sally, Helen, Lydia and two women named Angele, the Timmins and District Hospital Foundation said.

Group of 10 neighbours from Kapuskasing won the Timmins and District Hospital Foundation August 50/50. (Supplied)

The group lives in the same building and is splitting the $117,355 prize.

They have been buying tickets since the cash lottery began at the hospital.

“She said she knew something was going to happen because her left hand had been ‘super itchy’ the day before and morning of the draw,” the Timmins hospital foundation said in a news release.

Foundation officials could hear cheers through the phone as she went through the building sharing the good news.

“She said ‘my wheelchair couldn’t go fast enough, I have it on full speed,’” the foundation said.

“Everyone was ecstatic! This will be a nice boost for everyone, especially those who are retired.”

Huet-Lamontagne plans to use her winnings to spoil her grandchildren.

“As a medium-sized district hospital based in Timmins, we offer services for patients across northeastern Ontario,” the foundation said.

“We also receive support for our programs and events from that same area and this win is a good example of that.”

Also on Friday, Gaspare Muto found out he was the big winner of the Sault Area Hospital’s (SAH) 50/505 draw.

His ticket A-5615994 earned him $55,705.

“As a long time supporter of the SAHF 50/50, Gaspare said it was the best news when we called to tell him he won,” the Sault hospital foundation said in a social media post.

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Meanwhile, the name of the winner of the North Bay Regional Health Centre Foundation August 50/50 draw has not been released.

Ticket number AJ-6773505 is worth $29,155.

September jackpots growing

With a new month, comes a reset of the progressive jackpots.

In Sudbury, the jackpot as of Tuesday morning is already more than $164,600 for the draw on Sept. 27.

“When you purchase tickets, you are directly supporting the highest priority needs of Health Sciences North, through the work of Health Sciences North Foundation, NEO Kids Foundation, Northern Cancer Foundation and Health Sciences North Volunteer Association,” HSN said.

In Timmins, the jackpot is already more than $41,250, with 18 early bird prizes throughout the month.

The Sault Area Hospital’s next draw is Oct. 1 and the jackpot for that is more than $9,600.

“Your support helps fund medical equipment for our hospital,” SAH said.

The North Bay hospital 50/50 draw is also Sept. 27, like in Sudbury and Timmins.

As of Tuesday morning, the current jackpot is $3,900.