A single phone call changed Richard Martini’s summer on July 3, bringing news he never expected: he had won the $1.35-million grand prize in this year’s Tri-Hospital Dream Lottery, the largest grand prize in the lottery’s history.
The call came from St. Boniface Hospital Foundation President & CEO Karen Fowler, informing the Winnipeg resident that he was the lucky winner.
“It didn’t seem real at first,” said Richard. “My first reaction was, ‘Nah, it can’t be.’ Then I got very excited. It took a couple of hours for it to sink in.”
Richard has been purchasing hospital lottery tickets for 11 years, supporting the lottery because he knows every ticket helps make a difference for patients across Manitoba.
“It’s for a good cause, so even if I don’t win, I feel good about it,” he said.
Now, with his unexpected win, Richard is looking forward to making improvements to the century-old house he has called home for more than 20 years. He also plans to help his parents and may replace his 12-year-old vehicle.
“It’s going to make a lot of things easier,” he said.
For Richard, the win gives him a chance to enjoy the moment while knowing his support has helped strengthen health care for Manitobans.
A win years in the making
Another unforgettable call went to Stan Greenwood and his wife, Mary Ann, of The Pas, letting them know they were the winners of Tri-Hospital Dream Lottery’s $664,500 50/50 PLUS draw.
“When he told me the amount, I said, ‘You’ve got to be kidding me,’” Mary Ann laughed.
Stan and Mary Ann have been purchasing hospital lottery tickets for several years. In fact, she almost missed out on this year’s draw after accidentally entering one digit of her credit card incorrectly while ordering online.
“It finally went through a couple of weeks later,” she said. “If it would have worked the first time, we wouldn’t have won.”
Their support of the lottery is deeply personal.
Years ago, Stan underwent quadruple bypass surgery at St. Boniface Hospital. The care he received inspired the couple to continue supporting hospital lotteries year after year.
“We’ll definitely keep supporting it,” Mary Ann said.
Every ticket makes a difference
While Richard and Mary Ann are celebrating life-changing prizes, every Tri-Hospital Dream Lottery ticket purchased helps improve health care for Manitobans.
The lottery supports St. Boniface Hospital, Health Sciences Centre Winnipeg, and HSC Winnipeg Children’s Hospital. Together, the three hospitals care for nearly one million patients each year and welcome close to 11,000 babies annually.
Funds raised through the lottery help advance patient care by supporting medical research, purchasing specialized equipment and technology, and investing in the programs and services patients rely on every day.
Thank you to Richard Martini, Stan & Mary Ann Greenwood, and everyone who purchased a ticket and helped make a difference across Manitoba.