Cruising for a Cure: Jeep Raffle Winner Announced
Published Friday, January 16, 2026
Loren Forrest of Dundas, Ontario as the winner of the Cruising for a Cure: Jeep Raffle.
The Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation, together with Lakehead Motors, is thrilled to announce Loren Forrest of Dundas, Ontario as the winner of the Cruising for a Cure: Jeep Raffle.
As a supporter of the Thunder Bay 50/50, Forrest saw the Jeep raffle promoted and thought, “I so need a new vehicle.” With her current vehicle being a 2013, she decided to take a chance.
That decision paid off in a big way — she is now the proud new owner of a rare 2024 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 Final Edition in Tuscadero Pearl, valued at over $160,000, with only 300 made available across Canada.
The vehicle is the most powerful Wrangler ever built, powered by a 6.4L HEMI® V8 engine, and equipped with standout features including a one-inch suspension lift, 35-inch tires, and a factory-installed winch.
Forrest is no stranger to health care, having indicated that she used to be a nurse and retired as a paramedic. “This win is a pretty big payback after a career spent caring for others,” said Michael Comuzzi, President of Lakehead Motors, who had the honour of delivering the winning call.
She just won the Cruising for a Cure Pink Jeep Raffle GRAND PRIZE!
What began as an ambitious campaign quickly became something much bigger. Thanks to overwhelming community support, the Cruising for a Cure: Jeep Raffle raised more than $400,000 for the Northern Cancer Fund for breast cancer.
“I'm honestly speechless,” said Comuzzi. “We set an initial goal of $200,000, and to see our community come together and double that is something I never could have imagined. The generosity behind the Jeep raffle has exceeded every expectation, and I have so much appreciation and gratitude for everyone who bought a ticket.”
“This is why the community is so important to our cause. Health care touches everyone, so when Michael met with us and said he wanted to raffle off this rare pink Jeep, I knew it was something we had to jump on,” said Haley Werbowetski, Events Manager with the Health Sciences Foundation. “It was a bit of a risk choosing such a niche vehicle, but the reward of raising more than $400,000 and making someone's Friday with a phone call shows how much people really got behind the idea.”
The Health Sciences Foundation extends a heartfelt thank you to everyone who purchased tickets and supported Cruising for a Cure, along with Lakehead Motors for generously donating the grand prize Jeep and helping make the raffle possible. Lakehead Motors joined the raffle because “cancer had touched” their family and team in very real ways, and this was their way of giving back — to help ensure patients in Northwestern Ontario can get the best cancer care close to home.