A life-changing phone call from Thunder Bay made a Timmins man an instant multi-millionaire just before the New Year. Patrick Chilton of Timmins is the grand prize winner of a staggering $7.7 million from the Thunder Bay Regional Health Foundation's 50/50 draw.
A Celebratory Phone Call from the CEO
The monumental news was delivered personally by the foundation's CEO, Glenn Craig, in a video call on Friday, January 2nd. The recorded moment captures the sheer surprise and joy as Chilton learns his ticket was the lucky one selected. This massive jackpot highlights the incredible success of the hospital's fundraising initiative, which directly supports healthcare in Northwestern Ontario.
Record-Breaking Boost for Healthcare
The Thunder Bay Regional Health Foundation's 50/50 draw has proven to be a phenomenal success, creating one multi-millionaire while generating crucial funds for medical services, equipment, and patient care at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. The $7.7 million prize is among the largest ever seen in this type of charitable lottery in the region.
While the winner, Patrick Chilton, begins to process his new reality, the foundation celebrates a windfall that will have a lasting impact on community health. The draw demonstrates the powerful combination of community support and life-altering prizes, encouraging ongoing participation in future fundraising campaigns.
A Northern Ontario Success Story
This story is a quintessential Northern Ontario moment, connecting communities across the region. A man from Timmins, a city in Northeastern Ontario, wins a prize offered by a hospital foundation in Thunder Bay, located in the northwest. It underscores the widespread participation in these charitable draws that benefit vital public institutions.
The win serves as a bright start to 2026 for both the lucky recipient and the healthcare foundation. It is a reminder of the positive outcomes that community-supported lotteries can generate, providing essential funding for public health while offering participants the dream of a financial windfall.
