THUNDER BAY – An Etobicoke, Ont. man is the latest winner of the Thunder Bay 50/50 jackpot, taking home a $1.737-million grand prize.
Saif Zaman needed a second to collect his thoughts after getting the call on Friday morning from Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation president and CEO Glenn Craig.
“Oh my God, there’s no way. Yes, this is Saif. It’s 11 o’clock and I know who you call at 11,” he said, pausing the call to grab a glass of water, according to a release issued by the Foundation.
“This is insane. I wish I could tell you more, but I don’t even know what to say. It’s so overwhelming. I’ve been buying tickets for so long. I dreamt about this.”
Zaman said he and his mother recently watched a winners video from the Thunder Bay 50/50 draw, and she gave him a boost of confidence.
“We religiously watch your calls every month. She told me, ‘Don’t worry, it’ll happen to you too.’”
Zaman said he plans to pay off his student loans in full and said he might reconsider a desire to attend law school.
He also plans to help his single mother ease into retirement.
The July jackpot was the 11th largest in 50/50 history.
To date, the draw, which benefits the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, has seen more than $71 million awarded in prize money.
The hospital foundation uses the money to help fund initiatives and equipment at the hospital.
Tickets for the August draw are on sale now.
Last August’s grand prize was more than $2.2 million. This marked the 23rd straight month the jackpot has surpassed $1 million.
Tickets are available at www.thunderbay5050.ca. Only purchasers physically in Ontario at the time of purchase are eligible to buy tickets.