Oilers 50/50 playoff raffle to support cancer patients

Starting Friday morning, fans can buy tickets for the Edmonton Oilers Playoffs Mega 50/50 raffle that will support cancer patients in Alberta.

The Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation is teaming up with the Alberta Cancer Foundation and the Kids with Cancer Society for a multi-day 50/50 raffle that runs until 11 p.m., next Wednesday, during the Oilers playoff series against the Los Angeles Kings.

The jackpot is expected to grow over the five days with early bird prizes such as cash prizes, tickets and unique Oilers fan experiences. Starting Monday, people who buy $100 or more in tickets will get a $25 Boston Pizza gift card and a $25 Canadian Brewhouse gift card with a maximum of one gift card per raffle sale.

Ben Stelter, the Edmonton Oilers playoff ambassador, who has been diagnosed with glioblastoma and has gone through multiple rounds of radiation and chemotherapy during his cancer journey, has captured the hearts of Oilers players and fans.

“Childhood cancer is terrifying, it is relentless,” said Val Figliuzzi, executive director of the Kids with Cancer Society, in a news release.

“Our organization's mission is to support children just like Ben and his family and with the support of Albertans through the 50/50, we will be able to expand critical family programs that are not offered anywhere else,” said Figliuzzi.

“Sadly, cancer does not discriminate based on age,” said Wendy Beauchesne, Alberta Cancer Foundation CEO in a release,

“But, thanks to donor support of CAR T-cell therapy at the Cross Cancer Institute, researchers like Dr. Chu are discovering ways we can offer more family-centric care for pediatric cancer patients.”