Registration is closed and now it’s time to rattle off the winners. The big winners are coming in the next two weeks but the Protect Michigan Commission announced another round of daily winners Wednesday, including a life-saving choice from the Upper Peninsula
“Nearly 64%, that’s over 5,163,000 Michiganders who have gotten their first shot,” said Kerry Ebersole-Singh, executive director of the Protect Michigan Commission.
With the ‘MI Shot to Win’ sweepstakes now closed, some are looking at the state still short of their 70% vaccination goal and think it failed. The Protect Michigan Commission is calling it a success, as the number of Michiganders getting vaccinated climbed every week, despite being a bad time of year.
“We are excited that, especially after we got past the July 4 holiday, that we saw it climb those weeks with vaccinations,” said Ebersole-Singh.
One of those to get vaccinated in July was Diedre “DJ” Malloy of Kincheloe. She would have gotten the poke earlier but has been fighting esophageal cancer since December.
“I had to choose between getting a vaccination or receiving treatment for the cancer,” said Malloy.
After months of chemotherapy, treatments and surgeries, she finally got the go-ahead this summer.
“As soon as my doctors gave me the ‘ok’ that my immune system is now strong enough to take the vaccine,” said Malloy, “I made an appointment.”
It literally paid off. She won one of the $50,000 daily drawings. A ray of sunshine she says as she faces high medical bills.
“It still seems surreal,” said Malloy, “But I see a light at the end of the tunnel and in this case, I know that it’s not a train.”
After the press conference, she had one message for those still waiting to get their vaccine.
“I understand why some people may have reservations,” said Malloy, “I respect their decision. But this isn’t really about us as individuals, it’s about community.”
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