First-time Raffle player earns windfall of $1 million from just one ticket

 
Michael Curry, Health & Wealth Raffle Spring 2016 Grand Prize winner.(May 2016) -- Two stunned men from Mesa are counting their lucky stars—and their cash earnings—as Grand Prize winners in the Spring 2016 Health & Wealth Raffle, benefiting Barrow and St. Joseph’s.

Michael McCurry was the luckiest of all, staking claim on the $1 million Grand Prize after buying a single raffle ticket just three days before the deadline. He was shocked to see his name on a $1 million check presented to him at during the Grand Prize announcement at Barrow Neurological Institute at Dignity Health St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix.

McCurry, a three-time stroke survivor, admitted he bought the ticket somewhat inpulsively, after seeing a Health & Wealth Raffle commercial announcing the deadline for ticket sales was days away. “I knew a neighbor who won a Jaguar years ago, but didn’t think I’d really win anything,” he said.  “This is a great return on the investment!”

Paul Simone was equally surprised to hear he was the winner of the Second Grand Prize—$100,000 cash and a French Riviera vacation—which he plans to share with his girlfriend.

They gasped when hearing the news. The elated couple secretly hoped the Riviera trip would be theirs, especially because they have never traveled out of the country together.

With tears in his eyes and a smile on his face, Simone expressed gratitude for his good fortune, explaining he’d been down on his luck for several years but had worked hard to turn things around. And even though money was tight, he’d purchased three packs in every raffle since 2007, knowing it benefited medical research and patient care at Barrow.

Will he continue playing in the biannual raffle? “Of course … most definitely,” he said. “Twice a year, just like always!”

The Health & Wealth Raffle is the first fundraiser of its kind in Arizona and one of the largest fundraisers for Barrow Neurological Institute at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center. Proceeds from the Health & Wealth Raffle go to research, medical education and patient care at Barrow and St. Joseph’s. The majority of prizes and services to run the Raffle are purchased in the state of Arizona, contributing to our state’s economy. Tickets cost $100 for a single ticket and $250 for a package of three, and must be purchased within the state; however, participants do not have to be residents of Arizona. Connect with the Health & Wealth Raffle on Facebook, Twitter or YouTube, and learn more or purchase your ticket at www.HealthWealthRaffle.org.