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Chatham-Kent Health Alliance Foundation (CKHAF) has officially launched the Igniting Healthcare 50/50 FUNdraiser, and tickets for the online raffle are now on sale.

Last year’s raffle raised a total of $298,360, which sent winner Bert Vanderheide of Blenheim home with a cheque for $149,180.

This jackpot payout set the record for the largest online charitable lottery in Southwestern Ontario.

“We were blown away by the overwhelming success of last year’s Igniting Healthcare 50/50 raffle, never expecting to achieve the incredible results that we did,” stated Mary Lou Crowley, president and CEO of Chatham-Kent Health Alliance Foundation, in a press release.

“Any time you try something new, you’re not sure how it will go, but this community really got behind us and things just took off.”

As of Thursday, June 18, this year’s raffle has already raised over $15,000.

Proceeds from this year’s fundraiser will once again support Chatham-Kent Health Alliance’s (CKHA) returning Urology program, through the purchase of a new C-Arm – a piece of advanced medical imaging equipment that uses X-ray technology.

The funds raised from last year were almost enough to fully fund the new $226,000 Holmium Laser, which has now been purchased and delivered to CKHA.

“We are really excited to get back out with another 50/50 raffle and raise as much as we can for the new C-Arm,” stated Gaye Thompson, board chair, Chatham-Kent Health Alliance Foundation.

“We are so grateful for the support of our sponsors and everyone who contributes to this fundraiser. Regardless of who walks away with the prize, it really is a win-win any time we are able to further advance health care in our community.”

Maple City Homes has partnered with the Foundation to sponsor the Igniting Healthcare 50/50 FUNdraiser for the second consecutive year, and new sponsors this year include SOAR Innovation and Milo-FAIS.

“The Igniting Healthcare 50/50 is a great way for Maple City Homes to get further involved in the community and do our part to support our hospital,” stated Robb Nelson, president, Maple City Homes, in a media release.

“We had a lot of fun with it last year and I want to see us raise the bar and go even bigger this year.”

Geetu Pathak, CEO of Milo-FAIS expressed her excitement to be part of this year’s fundraiser.

“Supporting our community hospital is a great cause, and after seeing the success of 50/50 from last year we had to be a part of it,” she said in a press release.

She added that the Wheatley, Ontario based company “has a long history in Chatham-Kent and the decision to partner with CKHAF was an easy one.”

This year’s draw will take place on August 26, 2020 at 1 p.m. at the Foundation office.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, plans to sell tickets at various events throughout the community as well as online will now transition to be exclusively online and available at www.igniting5050.ca.

Tickets can be purchased by Ontario residents over 18 years of age.

he secure, online portal where supporters can purchase tickets can also 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.

Source:  www.leamingtonpostandshopper.com.

Originally published date: June 19, 2020