On New Year’s Eve, Mark Parker of Kenora, ON was on the road to Winnipeg when his phone rang with some unexpected news. Just moments before, he and his travelling companions had been talking about the Holiday 50/50 draw and the large jackpots around the province, and then the call came.
His first reaction: “Oh for crying out loud.” Mark thought the jackpot had ended up around $44,000, “or something like that.”
When it truly sank in that he was the winning ticket holder of the Holiday 50/50 draw and was taking home $51,880 – the largest Lake of the Woods District Hospital Foundation jackpot in four years, he said, “Oh you just made my year!”
A loyal purchaser, Mark bought his original tickets as soon as they went on sale for the Holiday draw in late November, but it was after receiving care at Lake of the Woods District Hospital in mid-December, that he bought additional tickets as a way to show his gratitude for the care he experienced. “The Hospital was great and helped me significantly,” he said. Those extra tickets ultimately led him to his huge win. And, as in months past, he’s already bought his tickets for this month’s draw, which features three chances to win cash.
“The record-breaking 50/50 jackpot in December 2025 speaks volumes about the trust our community places in the Foundation and the Hospital,” said Mira Trebilcock, Executive Director of the Lake of the Woods District Hospital Foundation. “After the strong support we’ve seen through the recent Tree of Life and Beyond the Scan Campaigns, this response reinforces that people believe in what we’re building together – strong, local health care that serves our region for generations.”
Tickets for the January 50/50 draw can be purchased at www.lwdhf5050.ca. This month features 3 draws: $1,000 Early Bird Draws on Jan 9 and 23, along with the Grand Prize Draw (50% of sales) on January 30. Deadlines for purchase are at 11:59 p.m. CDT prior to each draw. Purchasers must be present in Ontario and 18 years of age or older. Licence RAF1467526.