Author Archive | Rick Vandenberg

Ruby’s Story

VANCOUVER, BC, February 15, 2019 — The day started out like any other for 16-year-old Ruby Davidson. She woke up, got ready for school and caught the bus. On the bus, she grabbed a seat to swing herself around like she’d done hundreds of times before. But this time, that simple motion broke her arm.

Ruby’s mom Terri immediately took her to local emergency department in Victoria. At first, everyone was perplexed. “We walked into the room and the doctor looked at us and asked, ‘Okay really, what happened?’”

Ruby explained it again – that a small bit of pressure broke her arm. “That’s when the doctor said something is definitely wrong.”

After weeks of tests, doctors suspected bone cancer. They sent Ruby to BC Children’s Hospital for a needle biopsy and more exams. Eventually, a diagnosis was made. It was osteosarcoma – a form of cancer that originates in the bones.

“It was a sucker punch,” Terri said.

Ruby added that she remembered thinking “I can’t do this right now, I’m supposed to be in grade 12.”

But after the initial shock, reality set in and a treatment plan was made. Ruby would undergo multiple rounds of chemotherapy and surgery at BC Children’s Hospital. Through her journey, Ruby experienced some tough side effects. She had blackouts from the chemotherapy drug and her feet became blistered and excruciatingly painful. She spent her 17^th birthday in hospital, something she couldn’t have imagined just months before. But despite it all, Terri says Ruby almost always had a smile on her face and was determined to get better.

While in hospital Ruby met Erin, a music therapist. They struck up a friendship, and Erin taught Ruby to play the ukulele. “Before that there was a lot of waiting. Throughout the day I was mostly just watching TV,” Ruby said. “But when I started to learn the ukulele it definitely helped.”

“The relationship Erin and Ruby have is amazing,” Terri said. “If Erin didn’t walk through and meet Ruby, this would have been so much worse.”

Today, Ruby has completed her surgery successfully and has had what everyone hopes will be her last round of chemo. The last day of treatment was emotional. “The doctor came in to check my blood levels and just looked at me. I started crying. My mom didn’t quite get it at first. But then she started crying too. I’m still getting used to the fact that I don’t have to do chemo anymore.”

Ruby and her mom say everyone at BC Children’s Hospital – from the nurses and doctors to cleaning staff and volunteers – helped them through their journey.

Ruby also says seeing all the other kids going through health issues is something she will never forget.

“There are so many little kids at BC Children’s Hospital. I don’t know how to help them yet but I’m going to try no matter what. It’s heartbreaking to watch a 4-year-old go through this. No one should ever go through this.”

It’s a Win-Win

More than 85,000 kids rely on the life-saving care at BC Children’s Hospital every year. When you purchase your Choices Lottery tickets, you’re helping patients like Ruby – and you’re helping shape the future of child health.

And of course, you’ll be in to win over 3,200 prizes – worth over $3.8 million. That includes three Bonus draws, the $350,000 in Early Bird draws, and 1 of 8 Grand Prizes. Choose from homes in Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna, South Surrey, and Squamish, or take $2.2 million tax-free cash!

And if you order before Midnight, next Friday, you’re in the February Family Bonus Draw!

Get your tickets today to win the ‘Ultimate Sports Package’ – two Vancouver Canucks 14-seat game suites, BC Lions season tickets, Whitecaps FC season tickets, Seahawks tickets, and $17,000 cash. OR choose a Luxury African Safari. Or choose $28,000 Cash.

Get your tickets online at bcchildren.com
by Phone at 604-692-2333
or 1-888-887-8771
or in-person at the Grand Prize Showhomes:
in South Surrey
(See Addresses and Hours online)
or at BC Children’s Hospital:
938 West 28^th Avenue, Vancouver, BC
or at any London Drugs or
Save On Foods in British Columbia

This is your last chance to get in for all this year’s draws!

VANCOUVER, BC, February 8, 2019 — BC Children’s Hospital Choices Lottery’s Appreciation Reward Deadline is Midnight, Tonight – it’s the first bonus deadline of the year and, if you order your tickets today, you’ll be in to win a draw worth over $30,000. Choose a terrific Travel package from Carlson Wagonlit, a Nissan Rogue SV AWD, or $27,000 Cash.

Not only that, but with your purchase today, you’ll be automatically entered into the February Family Draw, the Spring Bonus Draw, the Early Bird Draws, and the $2.8 million Grand Prize Draw, too. Win gift cards, Canucks tickets, travel, cars, homes, cash, cash, and more cash…

There’s something for everyone in this year’s Choices Lottery! Over 3,200 prizes, over $3.8 million to win. Plus, don’t forget about BC’s biggest 50/50 – the jackpot could top last year’s total, $1,763,925 – or the Big Passport PLUS. Win so much more for just a few dollars more.

Live Where You Love

Would you choose the idyllic neighbourhood living of South Surrey? How about an ‘Elgin Estate’ – 6,000 square feet of absolute heaven? Or you can live the city life in downtown Vancouver at Mirabel – in the exciting, vibrant West End, only steps from the beaches of English Bay. Or choose a different downtown – at Kelowna’s One Water Street, one of the Okanagan’s most incredible, luxurious living experiences, or at Victoria’s Capital Park Residences, a two-bedroom townhome right beside the city’s Inner Harbour.

How about an ‘Income for Life’ package, with homes in Squamish and Vancouver? Or a Country Club Estate in Kelowna’s Quail Ridge? The choice is yours, and there’s a choice for everyone! This year’s biggest Grand Prize package is worth $2.8 million.

Or take $2.2 million tax-free cash, of course. Just imagine what you would do, and what you could do…

HELP KIDS SHINE

By purchasing a Choices Lottery ticket, you’re helping shape the future of child health. Here’s a snapshot of how your lottery purchase helps:

Get your tickets online at bcchildren.com
by Phone at 604-692-2333
or 1-888-887-8771
or in-person at the Grand Prize Showhomes:
in South Surrey
(See Addresses and Hours online)
or at BC Children’s Hospital:
938 West 28^th Avenue, Vancouver, BC
or at any London Drugs or
Save On Foods in British Columbia

VANCOUVER, BC, February 6, 2019 — The Appreciation Reward deadline is Midnight, Friday (February 8) – and it’s the first Bonus deadline of this year’s Choices Lottery, making this your last week to buy for all this year’s biggest draws!

Get your tickets today to win an Appreciation Reward draw worth over $30,000 and choose 1 of these 3 prizes:

• A $25,000 vacation/travel gift card from Carlson Wagonlit, plus $6,000 cash
• Or a 2019 Nissan Rogue
• Or $27,000 Cash

And with your order, you’ll be automatically entered into the February Family Draw, the Spring Bonus Draw, the $350,000 worth of Early Bird Draws, and the $2.8 million Grand Prize draw, as well!

“I am thrilled at this year’s Choices Lottery and its Grand Prize show home packages,” says Erin Cebula, the lottery spokesperson. “The homes are fabulously designed and located in beautiful locations, and have gorgeous finishings.”

Over 3,200 Prizes, $3.8 Million to Win

This year’s biggest winner will choose 1 of 8 Grand Prizes, including $2.2 million tax-free cash or packages featuring dream homes in all of British Columbia’s most desirable cities and regions to live – Kelowna’s Quail Ridge, Victoria’s inner harbour Capital Park, downtown Vancouver’s Mirabel, Squamish, and three home options in South Surrey.

This year’s biggest Grand Prize is worth a whopping $2.8 million and stars a drop-dead gorgeous Red Tree Creative home in South Surrey’s Elgin Estates. It’s over 6,000 square feet of absolute heaven in one of the province’s most idyllic family neighbourhoods:

The Smaller the Patient, the Greater the Need

By purchasing a lottery ticket, you’re helping shape the future of child health.

“BC Children’s Hospital Foundation is very fortunate to have so many British Columbians supporting our hospital through the purchase of Choices Lottery tickets,” says Teri Nicholas, president and CEO of BC Children’s Hospital Foundation. “We want to provide our children with the best possible health care, and to do this we need the resources to fund extensive research, innovative programs and cutting-edge equipment.

“We are so grateful to everyone who supports our lottery.”

Say ‘Yes’ to BC Children’s Hospital. Help Kids Shine.

Get your tickets online at bcchildren.com
by Phone at 604-692-2333
or 1-888-887-8771
or in-person at the Grand Prize Showhomes:
in South Surrey
(See Addresses and Hours online)
or at BC Children’s Hospital:
938 West 28^th Avenue, Vancouver, BC
or at any London Drugs or
Save On Foods in British Columbia

VANCOUVER, BC, February 1, 2019 — BC Children’s Hospital’s Choices Lottery’s Appreciation Reward Deadline is next Friday – it’s the first bonus deadline of the year, and it’s your last chance to order for all this year’s biggest draws!

If you purchase your tickets today, you’ll be automatically entered to win the $31,000 Appreciation Reward Draw, the $32,000 February Family Draw, the $35,000 Spring Bonus Draw, the $350,000 in Early Bird Draws, and the $2.8 million Grand Prize Draw.

Kiss Winter Goodbye

Where would you go?

Win the Appreciation Reward Draw, and you’ll win a $31,000 travel package of your choice: a $25,000 gift card from Carlson Wagonlit, and $6,000 cash.

City. Beach. Mountains. Snow. Surf. Romance. Adventure.

It’s up to you! Win your next dream vacation with Appreciation Reward – it’s a bonus just for you, for BC Children’s Hospital’s loyal and early ticket buyers.

Win 1 of 8 Grand Prizes

Become a multi-millionaire, and do it in style. Do it your own way…

With this year’s Grand Prize Draw, Choices Lottery is giving its biggest winner a choice of 1 of 7 amazing home packages – with places all across our wonderful province, in your favourite cities and areas, like Kelowna, Victoria, downtown Vancouver, and idyllic South Surrey. Or choose $2.2 million tax-free Cash! A Choices Lottery ticket is your ticket to instant riches – or the life you’ve already dreamed of.

You can see all this year’s 3,234 prizes and get your tickets online at bcchildren.com, as well as your 50/50 PLUS tickets and your Big Passport PLUS tickets.

There will be 111 Big Passport travel or cash prizes awarded, and the 50/50 jackpot could grow to over $2.2 million. Last year’s jackpot reached a whopping $1,763,925.

(50/50 PLUS tickets start at 2 for $15, and Big Passport PLUS tickets start at 2 for $25. 50/50 and Big Passport tickets must be ordered in conjunction with your main lottery tickets.)

Get your tickets online at bcchildren.com
by Phone at 604-692-2333
or 1-888-887-8771
or in-person at the Grand Prize Showhomes:
in South Surrey
(See Addresses and Hours online)
or at BC Children’s Hospital:
938 West 28^th Avenue, Vancouver, BC
or at any London Drugs or
Save On Foods in British Columbia