Covenant Foundation Lottery Winner Gives Back

Barbara Barnes gave back $30,000 of the $100,000 Lottery Bonus Prize to say thanks for the exceptional care she and her family have received at Covenant sites over the years. 

Covenant Foundation Lottery bonus prize winner Barbara Barnes (right) presents Covenant Foundation director of philanthropy Sara Solowan (left) with a giant cheque for $30,000. 

“When I saw my name on the winner’s announcement, I was shaking and crying so much that one of the friends I was with put her arm around me, and all I could get out was, ‘I think I just won a Covenant Foundation Lottery prize.’”  

Edmonton's Barbara Barnes was indeed the lucky winner of this year’s Covenant Foundation Lottery Bonus Prize – a private jet vacation or $100,000. She opted for the cash because she already knew exactly how she wanted to spend it.

“I remember buying my ticket and thinking that if I won, I would give some of it back because I’m grateful for how Covenant has always been there for me and my family,” said Barbara.

In January 2018, Barbara’s husband, Greg, passed away from prostate cancer. He had spent his last months receiving compassionate palliative care in the Mel Miller Hospice Unit of Covenant Health’s Edmonton General Continuing Care Centre. Barbara is grateful for not only the exceptional care Greg received in his final days, but also the moments they got to spend together as a family in a comforting environment while Greg was free from pain. Because Greg was at the Edmonton General over the holiday season, Barbara said it made all the difference to have the family – including their children, grandchildren and even their grand-dog – able to visit him for long stretches of time to have one last holiday celebration together.

Only one week after the loss of her husband, Barbara experienced a life-threatening brain aneurysm that was detected at the Misericordia emergency department. She’s thankful for the quick action of the Misericordia emergency team who helped save Barbara’s life. Five years later, she has recovered and is excited to celebrate her recent win.

Barbara believes her late husband would have been proud to see her giving back.

“Greg believed you should make charitable donations that mean something to you,” said Barbara. “I wouldn’t even be here if it wasn’t for the emergency department at the Misericordia, so it feels so good to have this opportunity to give back to a good cause that I believe in.”

Having recently turned 70, Barbara also feels a personal connection to the lottery’s cause, which is focused on advancing seniors’ health and well-being at the 21 hospitals and continuing care sites the foundation supports across the province.