A life changing moment after life changing care

When Myra Longmire, of Granville Ferry, N.S., heard the news she had won the QEII Lifestyles Lottery Grand Prize Showhome, she immediately thought of the reason behind her ticket purchase in the first place. “I don’t buy the tickets to win,” she said, “I buy them because it’s a good cause.” For Myra, a two-time cancer survivor who traveled to the QEII Health Sciences Centre for treatment, that ticket purchase for a good cause has changed her life and the lives of her family. Her husband, Wayne, who has spent forty years as a fisherman, can’t believe the prize they have won. “In all my years fishing,” he said, touring the couple’s new Glen Arbour home, “I’ve never had a catch like this!” Their daughter, Lisa, was quick to comment, “As teenagers, we couldn’t wait to move out. Now, we can’t wait to move back in!”

The Longmire family joined other winners Dinesh Sharma and family (Grand Prize Cottage winner) and Carter Cluett and family (Mercedes-Benz Gullwing Supercar or cash winner) to celebrate a lottery that has brought good fortune to them and improved patient care at the QEII. Since their launch, the QEII Foundation’s charitable lotteries have raised over $28-million for everything from diagnostic imaging to emergency and trauma and patient comforts. This year’s Lifestyle Lottery will help fund improvements to radiation therapy for cancer patients like Myra Longmire.

Photo: Cancer survivor Myra Longmire and her husband, Wayne, winners of the 2011 Lifestyles Lottery Grand Prize Showhome.