'Coincidence' as ex-lottery manager wins big Calgary lottery prize
By Jamie Komarnicki, Postmedia NewsNovember 23, 2011
Doug Baker, former Alberta director with the Canadian Cancer Society, attends a cancer society fundraiser in 2005. He won big in the society's lottery this month.
Call him a longtime advocate, first-time player — and big-time winner.
As a director with the Canadian Cancer Society in Alberta, Doug Baker helped manage the popular Cash and Cars Lottery.
When he stepped down from the role this summer, he had the opportunity to buy his own ticket for the draw for the first time.
It turned out to be a lucky one. The Edmonton resident was one of two big winners in the annual lottery, walking away with a Calgary show home, a 2012 Chrysler 300C and $20,000.
"When I got the call, it was a bit of a shock," said Baker, who is now the regional manager for KidSport Edmonton.
Baker worked on community campaigns and events, including the Cash and Cars Lottery, during his stint as director of revenue development for the cancer society.
The lottery, which is governed by Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission rules, doesn't allow board members or senior staff to buy tickets, said Canadian Cancer Society spokeswoman Tiffany Kraus. Since Baker already had stepped down from his role at the society, he was free to claim the prize, Kraus said.
"It's really quite the coincidence," she said. "We were quite shocked when we saw that name came out."
An Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission spokeswoman confirmed the agency had no concerns with how the raffle was conducted, including the awarding of prizes.
Baker resigned from the cancer society July 12. In August, he put in cash with a group of former co-workers who were looking for a fifth person for a five-pack of tickets purchased July 27.
The ticket allotted to him by the group, it turned out, was the winner. Baker said he's often purchased lottery tickets that go toward other important charities as a way to support community initiatives.
More than 105,000 tickets were sold for the draw, which supports the Alberta Cancer Foundation and the Canadian Cancer Society in Alberta and the Northwest Territories.
Calgary Herald
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