2026 Appreciation Winners Stories

Appreciation Winners’ Stories – 2026

 

We’re excited to share the 2026 TMC Mega Raffle Appreciation Winners! Here are heartfelt stories from some of our winners:

 

M. Willem- $75,000

Marcela, a Tucson resident for 22 years first learned about the TMC Mega Raffle from a co-worker. She’s entered the past 5 years and previously won smaller prizes. When she got the call from Kathy this year and learned she was the big winner in the Appreciation drawing, she said it will be life changing for her and her daughter. Marcela plans to use her $75,000 prize to help pay her student loans, put some aside in savings and do something special for her daughter.

 

N. Johnson – $10,000

Nana is a longtime Phoenix resident that’s entered the TMC Mega Raffle for years. She shared that she has an affinity for good causes and likes purchasing tickets to support TMC Health. The mother of 4 and grandmother of 6 said she will use her $10,000 winnings to pay-off her credit card, do something special for her family and treat herself to a facial. For others considering entering the TMC Mega Raffle, Nana says, “If you can, do it – it’s a good cause!”

J. Hengemuehler – $10,000

Julie is a Tucson resident that got the call from Kathy learning she’d won $10,000 in the Appreciation drawing. While navigating the recent loss of her brother, she said getting the call was so nice when things feel so heavy. “It feels like it’s his way of letting me know it will be alright.”

 

L. Erenberger – $10,000

The Marana couple enter the TMC Mega Raffle every year to show support for TMC Health. “My wife is a retired healthcare professional, and we know the money raised in the Mega Raffle is used well and directly helps the community.”  This was a first time win for the couple and they are feeling very happy. They need to update a water conditioning system in their home and the $10,000 will be very helpful. The couple also plan to donate a portion of their winnings back to TMC Health Foundation. They said, “If you enter and don’t win, remember winning isn’t the only thing, but people do win, so hang in there.”

 

E. Woloshin- $10,000

Emily is a Tucson native that originally learned about the TMC Mega Raffle from a TV ad. She said she doesn’t enter contests or buy lottery tickets – the TMC Meg Raffle is the only raffle she ever enters. “The odds are better than anything!”  This year she had a strange feeling she was going to win, but she was still surprised when she got the call. She and her husband are excited to use the $10,000 to take their dream vacation – a European River Cruise.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A. Pearson – $10,000

Adam and his wife enter the TMC Mega Raffle every year. When his wife purchased the tickets this year, she said for good luck she was putting them in his name. Then, whenever commercial for the Mega Raffle came on TV she’d say, “Claim it Babe!”  Adam is extremely excited to be one of the $10,000 winners. Their washing machine just broke – so it is perfect timing. And he is going to send his wife on a trip to see Morgan Wallen in Concert with her sister. She is beyond thrilled.

 

N. Fimbres – $10,000

Niomi was floored to learn she was a $10,000 Appreciation winner. A week before, she dreamed she’d won a big pot of money at a casino. “It was strange because I’m not a gambler.” She told her sister about her dream and that the TMC Mega Raffle is coming up. She said, “I think I’m going to win cash.”  The Tucson native was born at TMC and interned there years before in the in-patient pharmacy program. Niomi shared that she always entered because loves TMC and it’s such a good cause. This was the first time she’d won anything. She tells others to definitely enter because it’s a good cause and needed. She is saving up to buy a house and is excited because her winnings will be a big help.

 

G. Silverman-feld – $10,000

Gale is a Tucson resident that gave birth to her two children at TMC. “TMC has always been a special place.”  She started entering the TMC Mega Raffle with her mom. “It was something we would do together to support TMC and the community. Now I do it with my daughter.” She said it was wonderful to get the news that she was one of this year’s Appreciation winners. “I was truly shocked and excited; it was so unexpected.” She remembers learning about the TMC Mega Raffle from the brochure and thought WOW! She said we aren’t big gamblers but this is for TMC.

 

 

 

 

 

S. Greenberg – $10,000

Steven, a previous Tucson resident that now lives in Phoenix, started entering the TMC Mega Raffle about six years ago. He knew that TMC did good work and loved the prizes. “It’s a win-win to support a good institution,” he said. He was very surprised to get the call and learn he won $10,000. “I had no expectation when I entered, but I am thrilled.”  Steven is now planning to travel to visit friends and family throughout the West Coast and explore more of Arizona.