Win-win situation

By Lethbridge Herald on December 17, 2025.

Nathan Reiter
Lethbridge Herald
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A new lottery is being launched to help cardiac care at the Chinook Regional Hospital.

The Downtown Rotary Club of Lethbridge has launched their 2025-26 Catch the Ace lottery with all proceeds headed to the Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation’s Bringing Home Hearts campaign, which aims to raise $30 million to build a new cardiac centre of excellence in southern Alberta.

Oliver Twizell, the director of development for the foundation, says the club answered a call for help.

“Numerous members of our fundraising campaign presented the Bringing Hearts Home campaign case for support to all the Rotary groups in Lethbridge, including the Downtown Rotary Club, as a way to share with them about this problem in our community in Southern Alberta and some of the solutions that were being offered through this campaign, which is cardiac care closer to home and solving that problem of 30 per cent of residents in Southern Alberta having a higher likelihood chance of being impacted by a cardiac event in a negative way.

“Out of those conversations and presentations, Downtown Rotary really looked at how they could support this campaign in a way that was most meaningful to their members and something unique to their club. 

“They presented this idea to us and we said, like we say, to many of our community partners who bring forward their ideas about fundraising partnerships. We said yes.”

Catch the Ace will offer weekly prizes along with a progressive growing jackpot. In a press release, Downtown Rotary president Todd Brown says the club hosts the campaign will be a success.

“Rotary exists to bring people together in service of our community, and Catch the Ace is a perfect example of that mission in action. We are proud to launch this lottery in support of the Bringing Hearts Home Campaign and our goal of raising $1 million reflects the deep commitment our members have to improving healthcare for families across southern Alberta.”

According to the Chinook Regional Health Foundation, more than 80,000 southern Albertans rely on cardiac services that are either stretched for capacity, aging or several hours away. 

Twizell says a new cardiac centre would be a major benefit to the region.

“In terms of the campaign and the Bringing Hearts Home across southern Alberta, including Medicine Hat, we’re going to address the number one cause of death in our region, which is an acute cardiac event. We’re going to increase the long-term health of our entire community, no matter their age. We’re going to keep members of our community closer to home because they will have access to cardiac treatment. And with that, it will empower our economy with a healthier workforce ready to work harder, do more and live longer with happier lives.”

The first draw date for Catch the Ace is set for Dec. 22. Tickets can be purchased online at RaceToAce.ca