This May marks the Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH) Auxiliary’s 125th anniversary!
Although it is disappointing that the volunteers cannot celebrate this momentous occasion at the health centre, they continue to work hard to raise funds for patient care. Its newest fundraising initiative, the Community 50/50 Draw, is breaking records again this month, with a jackpot prize value estimated at $210,000!
This monthly draw, launched in late 2020 at the height of the pandemic, has been a huge success for the Auxiliary, with more than $1 million already given out in prize money and, of course, with much-needed funds being raised for RVH.
Tickets are available online. Ontario residents over the age of 19 are eligible to enter the draw and are invited to go the website to purchase tickets.
In March 2020, the RVH Auxiliary pledged to raise $5 million for the health centre.
The first $2.5 million will be directed to help the tiniest patients at RVH as the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit requires a significant expansion. The NICU needs to grow from one common room for 12 bassinets, patients, family members and caregivers to separate rooms so lifesaving care can be delivered to newborns in surroundings that allow for privacy, room to best maneuver around incubators and for parents to deliver the most important medicine – a loving touch.
“We're a mighty fundraising force for RVH and have worked throughout the pandemic to continue our tradition of raising funds for the health centre. It’s been challenging for many charities, but we are very proud of the work that we have done and the success that we have seen with our fundraising efforts.” said Lise McCourt, RVH Auxiliary president.
McCourt added that by purchasing tickets for the Community 50/50 monthly draws, the community can help the Auxiliary to achieve its goal of raising $5 million for patient care, while having a chance to win big money!
The RVH Auxiliary is a non-profit corporation owned and operated by the volunteers. In addition to providing services in over 80 departments of RVH, volunteers have worked tirelessly for the past 125 years to raise money to support patient care. Since its creation in 1897, it has raised over $15 million for RVH.
Funds raised by the Auxiliary throughout the years have been put towards the construction of a new hospital on Georgian Drive, establishment of the Simcoe Muskoka Regional Cancer Centre at RVH, opening of a new Cardiac Care Unit, and supporting Advanced Cardiac Care and Child and Youth Mental Health. The Auxiliary’s various fundraising events have also helped towards the purchase of lifesaving equipment, like echo beds for the cardiac unit, surgical ultrasound machines, dialysis machines and EEG monitors.
To purchase tickets for the Community 50/50 draw visit them online here.
A win for you and a win for RVH!