THUNDER BAY -- Morson, Ont.'s Clarence Gibbins is the winner of the $1.44-million Thunder Bay 50/50 draw.
It's the fourth-largest grand prize given out in the 33 months the draw has been held, in benefit of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation.
It left Gibbins almost speechless when he took the call on Friday morning from Foundation president and CEO Glenn Craig.
"Holy cow," he exclaimed. "Amazing. I don't know what I'll do with the money -- just renovate my house."
More than $28 million in prizes have been awarded since the draw launched in January 2021.
While highly successful in its first two years, the prize purses have soared in 2023, with nearly $4 million more in grand prize money being awarded over the first 10 months of the year, compared to the same time frame in 2022.
Craig said the hospital foundation's take will be well spent.
“Half of this month’s 50/50 proceeds are going directly to improve regional breast cancer care," Craig said in a release announcing this month's winner.
“Thanks to our 50/50 supporters we’re doing more, faster at the hospital, like providing more cutting-edge equipment and treatment options.”
The November draw is on sale now, at www.thunderbay5050.ca.
