Sault woman wins nearly half a million dollars in Sudbury hospital 50/50

Brenda Veltri of Sault Ste. Marie learns she won HSN's July 50/50 jackpot on the phone with HSN Foundation manager Shane Gordon.

Brenda Veltri of Sault Ste. Marie is the grand prize winner of the July Health Sciences North 50/50 draw, taking home $465,830. The Health Sciences North (HSN) Foundation announced the win in a social media post Friday, congratulating Veltri and thanking participants for supporting healthcare at Health Sciences North in Greater Sudbury.

Brenda in disbelief

The foundation shared the moment Veltri learned of her win in a video featuring Shane Gordon, a manager at the HSN Foundation. After multiple failed attempts to reach her by phone, Gordon finally connected with Veltri when she called him back. She was initially skeptical about the situation.

“I didn’t win that, did I?” Veltri asked.

“You sure did. Congratulations,” Gordon replied.

Veltri, in disbelief, questioned whether the call was genuine. “Are you lying to me?” she said.

“I’m not lying to you. I wouldn’t do that on camera,” Gordon said.

Overwhelming joy

Upon realizing the win was real, Veltri’s shock turned to excitement.

“Oh my god, Johnny. Did you hear that? We just won $463,000 on the lottery I purchased,” she said.

Gordon corrected the amount, clarifying her prize was even higher.

“Even better. $465,000,” he said.

Still in disbelief, Veltri repeatedly expressed amazement before thanking Gordon.

“Oh my god. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you,” she said.

A longtime supporter

Gordon noted that Veltri had been a periodic participant in the HSN 50/50 draws over the years.

“I looked up your purchase history… and saw that you play on and off for the last few years,” he said. “Thank you so much for your support, and I’m glad we can make it pay off in a big way.”

“A big congratulations to Brenda,” Gordon said. “I’m glad we could finally get a hold of her after multiple tries.”

You can watch the call with the winner above.

Veltri’s win kicks off what the foundation said it hopes will be a “summer of winning” for both participants and the hospital.

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 August HSN 50/50 draw is live at HSN5050.ca and the jackpot is already more than $190,000. Click here for more information.

Tickets for the August draw are available to purchase right now, with sales ending at 11:59 p.m. on Aug. 28. The jackpot-winning ticket will be drawn on Aug. 29 at 10 a.m.

“This month, we … honour the ‘Healthcare Heroes’ who make exceptional care at HSN a reality,” said the foundation in another social media post, adding this month 50/50 participants can win “a Sauna and Cold Plunge/Hot Tub Package (or $16k cash).”

The winner of the backyard spa package will be drawn on Aug. 22.

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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