The Chatham-Kent Health Alliance Foundation has launched an online 50/50 fundraiser in hopes of raising big bucks for hospital equipment, as well as one lucky person.
Funds raised during the “Igniting Healthcare 50/50 FUNdraiser” will go toward a new holmium laser for the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance's (CKHA) urology program, which is expected to return to the CKHA in early 2020 after having left the hospital a few years ago. According to a media release, the laser helps medical staff to address tumours and break down kidney stones, but it can also be used in other departments, such as pulmonology and orthopedics.
"This [laser] is a significant piece of equipment that will help benefit many patients so that they can stay close to home," said CKHA Foundation President & CEO Mary Lou Crowley.
Typically, 50/50 tickets are bought in-person during a specific event. However, officials with the foundation said the online version of a 50/50 raffle removes the restriction and allows the jackpot to grow. Crowley cites the 50/50 draw at the International Plowing Match, which took place in the fall of 2018, as the inspiration for holding this fundraiser online.
"We saw that raffle going on and then we did a little bit of research and we thought 'holy smokes they were so successful,'" she said. "We wanted to take it one step forward. So we will be conducting the first [charitable] online 50/50 raffle in Southwestern Ontario."
The IPM 50/50 winner walked away with over $80,000 and Crowley said they're aiming to exceed that with this online raffle.
"We want to make it the biggest online raffle," said Crowley. "We're hoping to go anywhere upwards of [about] $100,000. That would be amazing for our hospital!"
Crowley said the holmium laser costs about $250,000, adding that if that the fundraiser brings in more money than anticipated, funds will be used for other equipment, which will also benefit the urology program.
Any Ontario resident over the age of 18 can purchase a 50/50 ticket for the draw and the CKHAF website will also be updated on a regular basis to show the growing jackpot. The foundation has partnered with organizations such as Maple City Homes and Agri-Roots Capital Management Incorporated, Chatham's BIA and Retro Fest to conduct the fundraiser.
Although the 50/50 fundraiser is based online, Crowley said residents will also be able to purchase tickets from volunteers within the community or at their CKHAF office.
"We'll be out and about in the community at various events ... RetroFest is the big one," she said.
The 50/50 draw itself will take place on June 27, 2019 at 1 p.m., at Maple City Homes' new development on Park Avenue in Chatham.
The winner will also be announced through the CKHAF's social media platforms and website.