New Westminster, BC, December 22, 2023 — Imagine spending this winter surrounded by the warmth of family and friends, perhaps curled up by a crackling fireplace or daydreaming about a tropical paradise. Whatever your holiday reverie, Royal Columbian Hospital Foundation’s 50/50 jackpot might be your chance to turn your festive dreams into reality! Join in the holiday spirit by seizing the opportunity to win big while contributing to the well-being of those in need.
Will the magic of the season shine on you on January 25, 2024? Your participation could hold the key!
Buy Your Tickets Now:
Tickets are 10 for $10, 75 for $25, 350 for $50, and 700 for $80 (Best value: limited quantity available)!
The deadline for ticket purchases is Wednesday, January 24, at 11:59:59pm. Take a moment amidst your holiday celebrations to secure your chance at winning big and providing invaluable support to patients at Royal Columbian Hospital. The fortunate winner will not only revel in half of the ultimate jackpot but also in the joy of making a difference during the holiday season!
Buy tickets today! Tickets must be purchased online.
Your ticket purchase makes a difference for care in critical moments like this:
Makayla Burry did not expect to hear her newborn son cry right away, and the sound brought her and her husband to tears. In late January 2021, Marcus came into the world, extremely premature: 24 weeks and four days and weighing just 755 grams. After being delivered by emergency C-section and letting out his first cry, Marcus was quickly put under the care of Royal Columbian Hospital’s Variety Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, where he would spend more than four months, surviving a number of complications before heading home.
“I was really sick the whole pregnancy,” recalls Makayla, who lives in Surrey. “I was in the hospital for a week because I just couldn’t keep anything down. They were just giving me IV nutrition and fluids.”
Halfway through her second trimester, Makayla required a cervical cerclage, a procedure meant to reinforce the cervix that is at risk of opening early. Later in the same trimester, her water broke.
“I was leaking fluid a little bit,” says Makayla. “Things didn’t seem right, and I started to have contractions.”
Makayla’s suspicions were confirmed during a check-up in Surrey. Royal Columbian Hospital was notified she was on her way.
“I wanted to deliver the baby before he became too sick,” says Royal Columbian obstetrician Dr. Douglas Waterman. “We can’t keep the baby safe once there is an intrauterine infection. The main thing is to deliver the baby in good condition.”
“We didn’t expect him to give us a cry,” says Makayla about the surprise of hearing her baby right after he was delivered in late January 2021. “It was honestly amazing. To this day, it always makes me so happy to be able to hear that.”
While Makayla received follow-up care, Marcus was intubated and taken to the neonatal intensive care unit with dad in tow. For the next 132 days, the family’s world would revolve around the NICU, experiencing many ups and downs and developing a growing appreciation for the hospital’s neonatal team.
Ten days into their stay, with Marcus still connected to a jet ventilator, Makayla was able to hold him for the first time.
“At first, it was so scary because there’s so many people that need to help you get him into the right place,” Makayla remembers. “Thankfully, the RTs (respiratory therapists) and the nurses were there to go through it with me. It made it a lot easier. It was amazing when I was actually sitting down with him.”
Ten days before the start of summer, Marcus was finally healthy enough to go home. And five months after that, Makayla says her son is doing great.
“He’s doing amazing,” she reports. “He has his G-tube (feeding tube), but he’s eating everything by mouth. Developmentally, he’s doing amazing. Everybody is so impressed with all his milestones.”
After their lengthy stay, Makayla feels close to the neonatal team. She also hopes her story will provide support to other parents who may be in a similar situation.
“Some days you feel like you’re going to be there forever, and it’s never going to end,” she says. “But, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I think that was the hardest part for me. I hope sharing my story will help other parents see what the journey is about.”
Provide support for our NICU caregivers who help make a difference for our littlest patients like Marcus.
Get your tickets now:
Ticket Sales Close: Wednesday, January 24, 2024
Draw Date: Thursday, January 25, 2024
Tickets available to British Columbia residents over 19 years of age
“The narrowing is contributing to the stroke, so we have to open up the vessel at the bottom in the neck,” explains Dr. van Wiltenburg. 
