Timmins woman wins $2.3M in Thunder Bay 50/50

José Bordeleau of Timmins learns she won Thunder Bay's August 50/50 hospital jackpot on the phone with the hospital foundation's CEO.

A Timmins woman is a multi-millionaire after winning the grand prize in the August draw of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation’s 50/50 lottery.

José Bordeleau was declared the winner of a record-breaking $2,355,290 on Friday, after a phone call from the foundation’s chief executive officer.

A life-changing phone call

The winning moment was captured on video with a recorded line as a phone conversation between Bordeleau and foundation CEO Glenn Craig happened that morning.

Bordeleau was out shopping with her husband when she got the call.

“Do you have big plans for the weekend?” Craig asked her during the call.

When Bordeleau replied that she did not, Craig suggested she should.

“Do you know what we do in Thunder Bay on Friday at 11:00 a.m. at the end of the month? We call the winner of the Thunder Bay 50/50,” he said.

After a gasp from Bordeleau, Craig confirmed her win.

“Your (shopping) budget has increased by a little bit,” he said.

The news was met with disbelief from Bordeleau’s husband, who could be heard in the background.

“Is it true? Is it legit?” he asked.

“I said, ‘Lou, they call at 11. I saw the number,’” Bordeleau recounted to Craig during the call.

A win for the whole family

Upon learning the exact amount, Bordeleau was overcome with emotion.

“You made my day, that’s for sure,” she said.

“Well, I hope more than just your day,” Craig replied.

Bordeleau explained that the windfall comes at a pivotal time for her family.

She has three daughters who all purchased homes and are engaged to be married this year.

She also revealed that luck runs in the family; her daughter previously won a Jeep, valued at about $90,000, in the Timmins and District Hospital lottery when it first launched.

“I think 2.3 million kind of has a nicer ring to it,” Craig said with a laugh. “Now you have bragging rights over her that you’re the big winner in the family.”

A record-setting draw

The foundation confirmed Bordeleau’s win in a news release, identifying her as the holder of lucky ticket number H-903690584.

Her win marks the 24th consecutive month the Thunder Bay Hospital 50/50 lottery has created a millionaire and is the foundation’s seventh multi-millionaire winner. To date, the lottery has awarded more than $73 million in prizes to players across Ontario.

Craig also noted the August draw set a new record for the month.

“(For) our dog days of summer set a new record for us for August,” he said to Bordeleau during the call.

You can watch the call with the winner above.

Next month’s draw

The September draw is now underway at ThunderBay5050.ca, with the foundation promoting a nostalgic 80s theme, encouraging participants to “bust out (their) boombox.”

The jackpot is already more than $735,000. Click here for more information.

Tickets for the September draw are available to purchase right now, with sales ending at 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 25. The jackpot-winning ticket will be drawn on Sept. 26 at 11 a.m.

Proceeds from the monthly lottery support medical equipment and priorities at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.

For more information on the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation’s 50/50 draws and the work they do, visit their social media page.

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