The new year is off to a good start for Gale Eastman.
That’s because the Blenheim resident won the $52,110 jackpot in the Igniting Healthcare Holiday 50-50 draw recently.
Eastman, who spent $50 on a last-minute ticket the morning of the draw, was dumbfounded when she learned she’d won.
“For once I was truly speechless,” Eastman said in a media release. “I’ve always believed in supporting our hospital and local health care, and mammography is such an important service for our community. I was so happy I finally got around to buying my ticket and even happier knowing that it helps support care that so many rely on.”
The Igniting Healthcare 50-50 draw is a fundraiser for the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance Foundation. Funds from the recent holiday campaign will be used to support services enabling early breast cancer detection through imaging right at the CKHA.
In her comments, CKHAF president and CEO Christine Mitchell said community support for initiatives such as the Holiday 50-50 continue to have a “profound impact on essential hospital programs like mammography.
“When we invest in modern equipment and services, we’re helping patients receive care close to home, supporting early diagnosis, and ensuring our hospital remains a place where strong programs, including the physicians and frontline staff behind them, can continue to deliver exceptional care,” Mitchell said.
The 50-50 campaign offered more than the grand prize draw. In addition, several Early Bird prizes were awarded including Terry Rabideau, Kelly Medwid, John Beland, and Sean Edwards, who each received $1,000. Marnie Freer won $2,000, and Dennis Lebert took home $4,000.
The CKHA Foundation team travelled to Eastman’s home to surprise her with the news.
