A Markham woman was left speechless after finding out she won the grand prize in the spring edition of the Dream Lottery.
Greta Tachdjian found out the life-changing news Thursday morning after lottery organizers drew her ticket as the big winner in the semi-annual sweepstakes. She now will have her choice of one of three fully furnished luxury homes or $1 million cash. Each of the homes is valued at over $1.2 million with two located on Ironwood Road in London and the third in Grand Bend.
Tachdjian was originally hard for lottery organizers to reach, but they eventually tracked her down by phone as she was on her way to a mid-morning meeting. Pulled over in her vehicle, Tachdjian was initially left speechless by the news.
“Oh, my goodness, so many choices," Tachdjian finally said after being informed of her many prize options.
Colin and Barb Brander of Kerwood won the 50/50 draw and will take home $526,530. When told of her win by phone, Barb said, "Wow, really?" She then asked whether the phone call was a "joke."
After being sent a picture of the giant display cheque that bared her name, Brander quickly believed lottery organizers weren't pulling her leg.
The 50/50 jackpot was the largest in the Dream Lottery's history and came as tickets for the draw sold out for a third time within the past two years.
Since launching in 1996, the lottery has raised a net total of more than $36-million in support of the London Health Sciences Centre, Children’s Hospital, and St. Joseph’s Health Care London.
"We want to thank everyone for their remarkable response to Dream Lottery, which supports excellent patient care at our hospitals by funding advanced equipment, emerging technology, research, training and education," said Michelle Campbell, president and CEO of St. Joseph’s Health Care Foundation.
The names of major prize winners are posted online at www.dreamitwinit.ca and a printed list of winners is also available upon request by calling 1-866-319-9818.
