2019 TMC Mega Raffle Breaks Previous Record Final and Early Bird Winners Announced

2024-04-25 06:20:48 Health and Fitness

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TUCSON, ARIZ. ? March 20, 2019 ? The annual TMC Mega Raffle beat it?s 2018 record with the earliest sell-out ever and the 50/50 jackpot reaching an all-time high of $728,440. Due to the early sell-out, both the Early Bird and Final prize drawings were held on Wednesday, March 13. While the final numbers are being totaled, the funds benefiting Tucson Medical Center this year are projected to surpass previous years.

?The outpouring of support from the community is incredible,? says Kathy Rice, director of TMC Mega Raffle. ?It?s always fun to see the excitement from TMC Mega Raffle winners, but it is more amazing to hear from participants that purchase tickets year after year because they want to support the hospital.?

The winners came from all over Southern Arizona and their ages range from early 20?s to senior citizens.

Early Bird prize #1 winner was Jerome Ledahl and his long-time girlfriend of Tucson and Anchorage, Alaska. The couple won the 2019 Lexus ES, a vacation package for two to the Maldives, plus $18,000. Saul Flores, a 24 year-old accounting student is the winner of Early Bird prize #2 of the 2019 Lexus RX, Polynesian Paradise Adventure, plus $18,000.

Grand prize #1 winner, Debra Fitzgerald is a home healthcare nurse that was born in Tucson and returned to the area a few years ago to live near family. Since moving back, she has always participated in the raffle and one year she won a nice watch. She burst into tears when she heard she won the A.F. Sterling home or $625,000 cash prize.

Shelley Korska of Tucson is the winner of Grand Prize #2 ? a 2019 Audi A7 plus cash or a $150,000 cash option. Korska has entered the past five years and said, ?I?ve never won anything before but always felt good because it is a great community cause.?

This year?s 50/50 jackpot winner, Dana Pulsifer, 61 also enters every year, purchasing a three-pack and some 50/50 tickets. Pulsifer said, ?It is a way to help out and do good and have an opportunity to win some great prizes.?

?We are incredibly grateful to all that participated in this year?s TMC Mega Raffle. The funds from the raffle are helping us continue to enhance our services while meeting the needs of our patients and their families,? said Michael Duran, Tucson Medical Center vice president and chief development officer.

Rice adds, ?I am overwhelmed by the comments and kind words from winners and participants alike that share how appreciative they are for the TMC Mega Raffle and all that TMC does for the community.?

The proceeds from TMC Mega Raffle support patient programs and services that directly impact patient care. The raffle has previously generated more than $5.5 million for TMC, which has helped fund programs and services impacting patients from birth to end of life.

To learn more about the winners and the services funded, visit TMCmegaRaffle.org

About Tucson Medical Center Mega Raffle
Tucson Medical Center Mega Raffle is the first ever large-scale raffle focused in Southern Arizona. Net proceeds from the raffle benefit Tucson Medical Center and its commitment to providing the highest standard of patient care to Southern Arizonans. Spring 2018 raffle participants have a one in 20 chance of winning one of the more than 2,400 featured prizes. To learn more about the TMC Mega Raffle or to purchase tickets, visit www.TMCmegaRaffle.org.

About Tucson Medical Center
Tucson Medical Center?s mission is to deliver personalized, quality healthcare to patients and their families in an environment that is supportive, education-focused and compassionate. TMC is licensed for 629 adult, pediatric and behavioral health beds. The hospital serves more than 30,000 inpatients and 122,000 outpatients yearly and has several emphasis areas, including maternal and child health, cardiac care, hospice care, neuroscience, orthopedics, diagnostic services, behavioral health and senior services. TMC also created the region's first emergency department dedicated specifically for kids. For more information visit www.tmcaz.com.

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