A local woman battling cancer says it’s an “unreal” feeling to have won more than $20,000 in the Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital (OSMH) 50/50 raffle.
Brenda Morgan, an Orillia resident since 1990, received the news earlier today.
“What a way to wake up this morning,” she told OrilliaMatters. “I buy (tickets) religiously every month, with a hope that I'd win a weekly prize, but never thought I would win this big one.”
Morgan, 64, said her winnings will go towards her move from her house into an accessible apartment for herself and a friend with accessibility needs.
“We’re actually just moving from our house to a handicapped accessible apartment, so this will help with some of those expenses,” she said.
Since July 2021, Morgan has battled both mantle B cell lymphoma and bone marrow cancer, and she is still undergoing treatment, though she said her cancer is in remission.
She said she has been a big supporter of OSMH for years.
“The hospital has been really good to me and my family. Both my parents were in there and unfortunately passed away in the hospital, and the hospital was very supportive of us during that time,” she said.
“When they were building the Community Tower, we supported it and donated and did whatever we could in the community to help the raise the funds for the new part of the hospital, so I've been a big supporter of (OSMH) for many years.”
Half the proceeds for the OSMH 50/50 draw go to the winner, with the other half supporting the hospital.
“It’s a great way to support your local community hospital, and have a chance to win, in this case, $20,000,” said Carmine Stumpo, OSMH president and CEO.
Stumpo said it is “heartwarming” to see Morgan win the 50/50 draw.
“It's really heartwarming to hear her story and hear how this will have an impact on her her life, so we're thrilled that we can be a part of that,” he said. I think it's a win-win. It's a win for the support of the hospital. It's a win that it's going back to the patients we serve.”
