Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation

The Royal Alexandra Hospital is a place that has impacted the lives of countless Albertans over the years. For many, its walls have witnessed some of life’s most pivotal and personal moments—births, emergencies, recoveries, and sometimes, goodbyes. These experiences often leave a lasting mark for those who have experienced them. One such individual was Catherine, a local journalist and mother whose story has been deeply impacted by the hospital over the years. 

Her connection to the hospital really started in 2016 when her daughter was born at the Royal Alex. It was the beginning of what should have been a joyful chapter, but just weeks later, Catherine noticed something was wrong—her baby’s skin was turning yellow. They returned to the hospital and learned that her daughter needed treatment for jaundice. What could have been an overwhelming and frightening experience was eased by compassionate care and a sense of calm from the team that had already helped welcome her daughter into the world. 

Only a few months later, Catherine found herself back at the Royal Alex, this time as a patient. A complication from a medical device required emergency surgery. Again, the hospital was there with expert care and kindness. Then, before the year had ended, Catherine’s younger brother was rushed into the Royal Alex ICU with a life-threatening illness. He had gone from being a healthy adult to fighting for his life due to a severe infection. It was a moment that changed everything for their family—but the Royal Alex was ready. He received the care he needed during a terrifying time, and the hospital staff made all the difference. 

Those three moments—her daughter’s birth, her own emergency surgery, and her brother’s ICU stay—formed for Catherine a deep appreciation of the Royal Alexandra Hospital and the care it provides. 

So, when she learned of the Split the Pot Lottery and its role in supporting hospital and healthcare foundations across Alberta, buying a ticket wasn’t just about a chance of winning; it was a way of giving a little back.  

“The care we receive in hospitals is incredible. No one wakes up hoping to go to the hospital for an emergency, but it can happen to anyone at any moment. When the worst happens, you want the best.” – Catherine Griwkowsky 

Choosing to support the Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation with her purchase was another way for her to say thank you. She didn’t expect anything in return, but this time, something came back her way—a phone call from the foundation informed her that she had won $5,000 in Split the Pot!  

The surprise win brought some joy and relief. The money helped with everyday expenses, lifted some financial pressure, and allowed for more meaningful moments with her family. Still, for Catherine, the real reward was knowing her ticket was going to help do some good. 

Split the Pot gave Catherine a chance to reflect on what her family’s care had meant. It was never just about hospitals or healthcare in general. It was about the specific people who had helped her family through difficult days. It was about the hospital that was always there, whether for a new life, an emergency surgery, or a critical illness. Supporting that hospital through the lottery felt like a way to give back, not only for care they had received in the past, but also for future patients in need.  

For Catherine, buying a ticket meant giving back to a place that had given so much to her family. The win was unexpected, but the motivation was always clear: Split the Pot was one more way to say thank you. 

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