Halloween night (Oct. 31) is the entry deadline for a 50/50 raffle to help B.C. families with seriously ill children, including those who use the Ronald McDonald Family Room at Surrey Memorial Hospital.

The raffle, launched by Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon, also benefits other Family Rooms in B.C. including two new ones at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops and the University Hospital of Northern British Columbia in Prince George, both due open in 2025, and a 73-bedroom facility on the grounds of BC Children鈥檚 Hospital.  

The fundraising goal is $250,000, with half of the final amount pocketed by the raffle winner after the Nov. 1 draw date. Single tickets are sold for $10 on , or buy 25 for $100. There are 45,500 tickets available for sale.

Now open for a decade, has been "a house within a hospital" for close to 600 families a year, providing accommodation, meals, laundry and more while their children receive hospital care. It's located in the 鈥淕reen Zone鈥� on the second floor of the Critical Care Tower, across from the hospital gift shop, beside the NICU.

Richard Pass, CEO of Ronald McDonald House BC & Yukon, said the organization is excited to launch this 50/50 province-wide campaign, "because every dollar raised will directly support families with seriously ill children and helps keep families close during a very difficult period.

"With the expansion of the Family Rooms to Kamloops and Prince George, we will be able to serve even more families across BC & Yukon when they need it most."

On Monday afternoon (Oct. 21), the 50/50 jackpot was $9,160, with the winner taking half.