The Chatham Kent Health Alliance Foundation (CKHAF) launched Southwestern Ontario’s first charitable, online 50/50 fundraiser on Monday.
Proceeds from the Igniting Healthcare 50/50 FUNdraiser will support the purchase of a new holmium laser, a key piece of equipment for the planned Urology Program at Chatham-Kent Health Alliance.
In addition to being essential in urology for the treatment of such ailments as tumours, BPH (a benign, non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate) and for breaking down kidney stones; holmium lasers are also used in other fields such as gastroenterology, pulmonology and orthopedics.
“The 50/50 will help us ignite fundraising for this program, which has been sorely missed in Chatham-Kent,” CKHAF President & CEO Mary Lou Crowley said in a media release.
While everyone who buys a ticket will win by supporting great health care in Chatham-Kent, someone will win really big by taking home half the total jackpot.
The draw will be made June 27. The winner will be posted online on the foundation’s website at ckhaf.ca, and through CKHAF social media channels on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
“If we spark our supporters’ interest, there’s no limit to how high the jackpot can grow. The more people participate, the bigger it will get,” said Crowley. “50/50s connected with major sports teams and their charitable funds have seen online jackpots soar into the hundreds of thousands of dollars recently.”
During the 50/50 conducted at the International Plowing Match last year in Pain Court, the winner went home with more than $80,000. That 50/50 was limited to selling tickets on-site at the event.
“Since we are able to sell tickets for this raffle both online and at events throughout the summer, we believe anything is possible,” said Crowley.
Tickets can be purchased by Ontario residents over 18 years of age. The secure, online portal where supporters can purchase tickets can be found on the foundation’s website at ckhaf.ca, along with real-time tracking of the constantly growing jackpot. Regular jackpot updates will also be posted on the foundation’s social media accounts throughout the sales period up to the day of the draw.
In addition to online sales, there will be opportunities to purchase tickets at various events across Chatham-Kent during the spring and summer. Clearly designated volunteers with handheld devices will sell tickets at the events.
While all events where tickets will be sold have not been confirmed, RetroFest on June 21 and 22, including at the Sam Roberts Concert in Tecumseh Park on the Friday, will be the final major event where ticket purchases can be made in person.
