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raffle rewards Biannual fundraiser benefits patients at St. Joseph’s, Barrow lthough Zoe Lemieux sits on her own and is contemplating crawling, like a normal eight-monthold baby, she had anything but a normal start in
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life. When Zoe was born, she was nearly lifeless due to a kink in her umbilical cord. Her brain was not getting enough oxygen, and she was at risk of brain damage or even death. Fortunately, Zoe’s doctor quickly transferred her to St. Joseph’s Hospital. There, newborn and brain experts in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (ICU) treated Zoe with hypothermia, a therapy shown to help preserve the brain after hypoxia, or inadequate oxygen. As part of the therapy, doctors chilled Zoe’s body temperature to 92 degrees Fahrenheit over the course of three days, gradually warming it back to a normal temperature. Zoe is now a healthy and bright-eyed baby, and her parents say she shows few signs of her difficult start. The Neonatal ICU where Zoe received care is just one of the many areas at St. Joseph’s and Barrow that have received critical funding from the Health & Wealth Raffle. The Spring 2010 Health & Wealth Raffle wrappedup April 1, and it was one of the most successful raffles in the past three years. Significant funds were raised for research, medical education, and patient care at St. Joseph’s and Barrow. “As I walk through the halls of St. Joseph’s, I see many, many areas that have been touched by raffle funding,” said Mary Jane Crist, chief executive officer, St. Joseph’s Foundation and Barrow Neurological Foundation. “Heath & Wealth Raffle funds have given our hospital the opportunity to recruit highly skilled doctors, launch new units and programs, bring in the latest and most advanced technology, and invest in promising new research projects.” To date, the Health & Wealth Raffle has raised nearly $50 million for the hospital. The raffle has the power to raise large amounts of funding at a rapid pace because participants can win amazing prizes, while also supporting a good cause.
Zoe Lemieux is now eight months old. Nearly 115,000 prizes have been awarded to raffle participants, including 26 homes, more than 350 trips, and an estimated 420 vehicles. Hundreds of St. Joseph’s employees contribute to the hospital by purchasing a raffle ticket each season. In fact, more than 75 employees won prizes in the Health & Wealth Raffle during the past year, including several who have won cars and cash. “I look for the sizzle when shopping for Health & Wealth Raffle prizes,” said Kathy Rice, executive director of the Health & Wealth Raffle. “The more attractive the prize, the more money we can raise for the hospital, and at the end of the day, it’s the dollars going back to the hospital that matter most.” The 15th Health & Wealth Raffle will launch this August. More than 4,500 prizes will be up for grabs, including a unique grand prize that will take the winner to new heights. For more information about the Health & Wealth Raffle, visit www.HealthWealthRaffle.org. To receive a Health & Wealth Raffle brochure by e-mail, please visit www.HealthWealthRaffle.org and click the “Sign Up” button. ■
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