Woman wins almost $550K in Sudbury hospital lottery in bittersweet moment

Corinne Renaud learns she won HSN's May 50/50 jackpot in a tearful phone call while planning her sister's funeral after buying tickets at the hospital.

A Kenogami woman has won May’s HSN 50/50 lottery grand prize of $548,718, marking the first time an in-person ticket buyer at Health Sciences North (HSN) has claimed the top prize.

Corinne Renaud purchased winning ticket number BH-75946215 on May 8 at the HSN lottery kiosk while visiting her sister in the hospital. Tragically, Renaud’s sister recently passed away, making the win a bittersweet moment for her family.

In an emotional phone call recorded by the HSN Foundation, Renaud reacted with shock and tears upon hearing the news.

“No. No. No… I just won over a half a million dollars from Health Sciences North,” she said, her voice breaking.

“I bought those tickets when my sister was there.”

The call took place while Renaud was at a funeral home with her brother-in-law, with those in the room calling the win “a blessing in disguise.”

Shane Gordon, Manager of Lotteries and Websites for the HSN Foundation, the call to Renaud from the foundation’s office inside the hospital.

“I’m so sorry to hear about your loss,” he told Renaud before confirming her prize. “The number is $548,718.”

The HSN Foundation expressed its condolences in a news release, stating, “Health Sciences North Foundation extends its deepest sympathies to Corinne and her family.”

You can watch the emotional call with the winner above.

How the lottery supports healthcare

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 June HSN 50/50 draw is live at HSN5050.ca and the jackpot is already more than $165,000. Click here for more information.

Tickets for the June draw are available to purchase right now, with sales ending at 11:59 p.m. on June 26. The jackpot-winning ticket will be drawn on June 27 at 10 a.m.

“This June, we’re hoping that our lottery players feel the call of the wild – or even better, the call of the winner,” said the foundation in its news release.

“June’s draw features … a draw for a 2025 East to West Della Terra 170BHXLE Camper.”

The winner of the camper will be drawn on June 24.

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.

Play responsibly

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