Saskatoon family beats the odds again to win hospital home lottery

Winners were announced Friday in the Saskatoon Hospital Home Lottery.

Llloydminster’s Arnold and Sandy Baron won $369, 945 in the contest’s 50/50 draw. Arnold Baron learned about the win on the Brent Loucks Show Friday morning.

He said he bought his ticket for the fundraising lottery because of the compassion he saw from hospital staff following the death of his son.

“Twelve years ago in January my son passed away in the Royal University Hospital,” said Baron.

“He had meningitis, he was only in there for a matter of two or three hours, but the people at the hospital were so kind and so gracious to us through the whole episode.”

The Barons weren’t the only deserving winners Friday.

Saskatoon’s Crystal Hyman and her family took home the grand prize: a $1.6-million Valentino show home in the Willows and $10,000 cash.

“I couldn’t comprehend what was happening when they called and told me I won a house. I’ve always wanted to own a house,” said Crystal.

“I’m so amazed; it gives us a relief financially because we are hardworking people and we do try to make ends meat.”

This isn’t the first time the family of four has beaten the odds.

Youngest daughter Shaylin was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia when she was two and a half years old; she started chemo shortly after.

While on the treatment, Shaylin had a cardiac arrest and died for three minutes.

Doctors revived the little girl, but told family she had suffered severe brain damage and might not have long to live.

“The doctors had originally said she wouldn’t be able to see, go to school, feed herself,” said Crystal.

But on Friday, eight-year-old Shaylin was able to pick out her new room in the family’s million-dollar home with ease.

It was a welcome reprieve from her current hospital stay; the eight-year-old is undergoing two surgeries this month.

“She’s a bright young girl. She’s witty; she’s just amazing,” said Crystal.  

The family hopes to move in by the end of April.