Organizers concerned over slow ticket sales for 2017 Hospitals’ Lottery

Tickets sales are once again sagging for the Red Deer Regional Health Foundation’s Hospitals’ Lottery.

The draw only ended up around 80 per cent sold out last year and they’re currently about 15 per cent off that pace for 2017.

Events Manager Alaine Martin says there is concern, but hope remains for a boost in sales.

“Selling out the lottery would ensure we can impact as many lives as possible,” Martin states, noting the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre serves a population of over 450,000 people from communities all over Central Alberta. “The Foundation’s role is to fund major equipment purchases at the hospital, which enhances healthcare for anyone coming through our doors. But we can’t do that without the public’s support.”

This year, funds are going towards to the purchase of innovative patient beds designed to increase patient safety and comfort, while reducing stress on caregivers. Each bed costs around $18,000 and the Foundation originally hoped the lottery would enable them to buy between 25 and 30.

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Martin says the belief is ticket sales are slow due to the sluggish economy, and a trend toward purchasers buying smaller packages and fewer tickets overall.

“For the type of project we are supporting, however much we are able to raise is how much we’ll support. That is the nice thing about the beds is they will buy however many based off how much money we’re able to raise,” she says. “The hospital needs to purchase 100 beds — that’s their goal, which is almost $2 million, but of course that’s not going to happen with us alone.”

Tickets are $35 each, three for $75, five for $100, or 15 for $250. The deadline is June 18 at 11 p.m. The draw for the dream home and all other remaining prizes is on July 7.

Additionally, the early bird prize winners were announced this week. Sheila Gorcak from Veteran, AB, Garry Potts from Sylvan Lake, and Donna & Darcy Carter from Red Deer are each the winners of $25,000 cash.