Murray Wood: Who's hot... and who's not
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The Hospitals of Regina Foundation is celebrating its newest lottery winners while highlighting the growing financial pressure in Regina’s health-care system.
Speaking inside the Ripplinger Homes show home, foundation president and CEO Dino Sophocleous said the annual lottery remains “critical” to supporting hospitals across southern Saskatchewan.
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“The lottery does not sell itself. Our friends in the media are very, very important to this program,” he said.
“This community steps up every year, and we are very grateful.”
Sophocleous noted that the foundation supports not only the Regina General and Pasqua hospitals, but also Wascana Rehab, the Urgent Care Centre, the Breast Health Centre, and 12 long-term care homes. Since the lottery began in 1987, the program has raised $68.5 million to improve health care in the region.
$1.2M raised in this fall’s lottery, $5.9M committed for 2025
Sophocleous said this year’s fall lottery will contribute about $1.2 million, once the revenue has been audited. This year’s lottery sold about 45,000 tickets to between 22,000 and 23,000 individual purchasers.
“That becomes part of our $5.9 million in commitments for 2025,” he said.
He said those commitments include:
- $1.7 million for pediatric and maternal health;
- $1.3 million for surgical technology and equipment;
- $200,000 for cardiac care;
- $235,00 for long-term care;
- $400,00 for diagnostic imaging;
- $375,000 for the Pasqua Eye Centre; and
- Funding for medical fellowships in pediatric surgery, pediatric and adolescent gynecology, and sleep medicine.
“We are the only foundation in Regina that directly supports health care,” Sophocleous said.
“Every January 1, we start with a zero balance. We make the commitments first, then go raise the money.”
Sophocleous said pediatric demand is climbing quickly.
“We see about 20,00 children a year now. A few years ago, it was 12,000 to 15,000. As the population grows, that will continue to grow,” he said.
Balgonie family stunned by $110,000 early bird win
Early bird winner Dorianne Piller accepts her $110,000 prize from Hospitals of Regina Foundation CEO Dino Sophocleous. (Jacob Bamhour/980 CJME)
Dorianne Piller, the early bird prize winner, said she and her husband only began buying tickets a few years ago.
“We figured if nothing comes of it, it’s still a good donation,” Piller said. “We have twin two-year-old girls who were born here in Regina, so it’s always a good cause to support.”
Piller said she missed several calls while getting her kids ready for bed before discovering she’d won the $110,000 prize.
“People of all ages are dealing with debt these days, especially families with young kids. This gives us breathing room; paying things down, car payments, even putting money away for our girls’ future,” Piller said.
50/50 winner says ‘a dream came true’
Gerald Mydan and his partner accept their $535,375 cheque after winning the Hospitals of Regina Foundation Home Lottery’s 50/50 draw. (Jacob Bamhour/980 CJME)
Gerald Mydan, winner of the $535,375 50/50 prize, said he’s purchased a ticket “every year I can remember,” which usually consists of one home lottery ticket and one 50/50 entry.
“If you don’t buy a ticket, you don’t win, and finally a dream came true,” he said.
Mydan said he was at Agribition taking in the rodeo when his phone began buzzing with messages.
“I don’t know if there ever was a rodeo after that,” he joked.
Show home winner receives keys
Hospitals of Regina Foundation CEO Dino Sophocleous presents show home winner Christian Flaman with the ceremonial key to the $1.7-million Ripplinger Homes grand prize. (Jacob Bamhour/980 CJME)
Christian Flaman, winner of the $1.7 million Ripplinger Homes grand prize, accepted the oversized ceremonial key and toured the fully furnished property along with foundation staff. He made no remarks, but appeared excited as he received the $50,000 cash bonus that comes with the home.
‘A means to an end’
Sophocleous said the prizes are frequently life-changing for the winners, but the impact of the annual lottery goes far beyond that.
“The show home is great and the prizes are fantastic, but all of this is a means to an end. This is about our friends, our neighbours and our families,” Sophocleous said.
“Our promise, since 1987, has been to provide the best care possible for everyone in southern Saskatchewan.”
