CHEO Foundation Launches 50/50 Lottery with Weekly Prizes

The CHEO Foundation has officially relaunched its 50/50 lottery, offering participants the chance to win substantial prizes while contributing to the Ottawa children’s hospital. This initiative serves as a critical fundraiser for the organization, as emphasized by Steve Read, president and CEO of the CHEO Foundation. In an interview with CTV Your Morning Ottawa, he described the lottery as a vital source of support for the hospital’s ongoing efforts.

This year’s lottery features a grand prize with a minimum value of $500,000, but Read is optimistic about surpassing last year’s total, which approached $1 million. “We’re hoping we can crack that million-dollar mark for the winner,” he stated, reflecting the foundation’s ambitious goals for the current campaign.

Weekly Draws Enhance Winning Opportunities

In addition to the grand prize, the CHEO 50/50 lottery will introduce weekly bonus draws of $10,000. These draws will take place every Thursday until the campaign concludes in early April. Read explained, “We’ll do a draw on Thursday and give out $10,000 each week, as the campaign progresses right to the beginning of April.” Notably, participants who win a weekly prize will remain eligible for the grand prize, effectively doubling their chances of winning.

The proceeds from the lottery will benefit the Kids These Days campaign, a commitment aimed at supporting CHEO’s growth and modernization. Read emphasized the importance of this fundraising effort, stating, “Every penny stays here. We know that we need to grow. Our population’s growing. Our catchment area’s growing. The services that we are offering are growing, and so we need to grow, expand, and modernize, and this is what’s going to help us do that.”

How to Participate

Tickets for the lottery can be purchased online at CHEO5050.ca. Participants must buy their tickets by April 9, 2024, to enter the weekly bonus draws, with the final deadline for ticket purchases set for April 16, 2024. The grand prize draw will occur on that same date, marking the culmination of the campaign.

The CHEO Foundation’s 50/50 lottery not only provides a chance for significant financial rewards but also plays a crucial role in ensuring the hospital can continue to meet the needs of its growing community. By participating, individuals contribute directly to enhancing pediatric healthcare services in Ottawa.