Northern Ont. couple’s persistence pays off with $440K hospital 50/50 win

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Northern Ontario couple learns they won $440K

HSN 50/50 supports future medical needs of northeastern Ont.

HSN 50/50 supports medical research in northern Ont.

HSN 50/50 supports equipment purchases for the hospital's state-of-the-art simulation lab

A St. Charles couple’s years of dedication to the Sudbury hospital’s lottery culminated in a life-changing phone call on Friday – where they learned of their $440,462 win and and the husband immediately announced his retirement.

Nancy Trottier was declared the grand prize winner of the Health Sciences North Foundation’s September 50/50 draw. Her winning ticket, #BL-61355354, was purchased on the afternoon before the draw, according to the foundation.

Moment of disbelief

The couple learn about the win the morning of Sept. 26 in a recorded phone call from Shane Gordon, the manager of lottery and websites for the HSN Foundation.

“Hi, Nancy. This is Shane Gordon calling from Health Science North Foundation,” Gordon said, before informing her of her win.

Nancy’s reaction was one of profound shock and repeated disbelief.

“No… Are you sure?” she asked.

“I’m absolutely sure,” said Gordon to assure her.

“You’re kidding me… I’m choking,” Nancy said after hearing the amount of the massive jackpot.

“Don’t do that,” Gordon immediately responded.

Years of support rewarded

Nancy revealed that the win was the result of long-term participation.

“We’ve been playing for so long, for so many years, and we never got anything,” she said, getting emotional during the call.

Nancy contrasted her own skepticism with her husband’s steadfast belief that they would win.

“My husband said, ‘You got to buy tickets because we’re going to win.’ And I’m thinking, ‘No, we’re not going to win,” she said during the call.

Her initial plans for the winnings were family-oriented.

“Oh my god, I’m going to cry. Well, that’s great because now we can share with my kids,” she said.

Immediate life changes

Later that day, Nancy and her husband, Frank Trottier, arrived at the HSN Foundation office at the hospital on Ramsey Lake Road – after a longer-than-expected search for parking. It was there that the couple’s immediate plans became clear.

Upon meeting foundation staff, Frank announced his immediate retirement.

“(I’m) retiring right now,” he said.

“Today?” Gordon asked to clarify.

Frank confirmed that “yeah,” he was done.

He outlined his new priorities.

“We’re going to help our kids of course,” Nancy added.

Surreal celebration

Gordon expressed his congratulations to the couple in person, particularly acknowledging Frank’s retirement plans.

“Well, congratulations. That’s an extra level of congratulations. That’s so cool,” Gordon said.

Despite their substantial win, the Trottiers indicated their support for the hospital foundation would continue.

“We’ll still keep playing (because) you never know,” Frank told foundation staff as chatted in the office.

“That’s so surreal... Oh my god,” said Nancy as the couple posed for pictures with the promotional check showing their win.

You can watch video of the call and meeting with the winners here.

The Trottiers’ win was also celebrated on social media by the foundation, which thanked Nancy and all participants, reminding them that the draw raised in excess of $440,000 to support care and equipment at Health Sciences North.

“This is all made possible due to your generosity,” the foundation said in its post.

How the lottery supports healthcare

The foundation’s 50/50 fundraiser supports healthcare services at Health Sciences North, with half the proceeds going to the winner and the other half funding hospital care.

Since its launch in 2020, the HSN 50/50 has raised over $62 million, with $31 million awarded to winners and $21.7 million reinvested into patient care, research, and facility upgrades at Health Sciences North.

Funds from ticket purchases support:

• specialized surgeries and procedures,
• enhanced care for neonatal patients,
• cancer research and treatment improvements,
• future capital redevelopment projects, and
• under Ontario’s lottery regulations, none of the proceeds go toward administrative salaries.

The lottery’s real-time updated jackpot continues to grow with each ticket sold, offering another chance for a life-changing win while supporting healthcare in northeastern Ontario.

Next month’s draw

The October HSN 50/50 draw is live at HSN5050.ca and the jackpot is already more than $185,000. Click here for more information.

Tickets for the October draw are available to purchase right now, with sales ending at 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 30. The jackpot-winning ticket will be drawn on Halloween at 10 a.m.

“October is filled with opportunities to win a significant amount of life-changing cash,” said the foundation in another social media post, adding this month’s 50/50 participants can win up to $30,000 in early bird draws every Friday leading up Halloween.

“But there is something else, something special,” said Gordon, in the video.

“It is our ‘Truck Or Treat’ add-on draw where you could win a 2026 GMC Sierra or $55,000 in cash.”

To enter to win the Onyx Black 4WD 2026 GMC Sierra 1500 players can purchase add-on tickets while buying their HSN 50/50 tickets online.

The winner of the ‘Truck Or Treat’ truck raffle will be drawn on Oct. 31.

HSN 50/50 lottery tickets can be purchased online, at the lottery kiosk at HSN on Ramsey Lake Road or at 22 retail locations in Greater Sudbury.

For more information on the HSN Foundation’s 50/50 draws and the work they do, visit their social media page.

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