The winner of USD 1.3 billion in Powerball is an immigrant from Laos who has been fighting cancer for eight years

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Cheng “Charlie” Saephan, an immigrant from Laos residing in Portland, has struck gold by winning the massive Powerball jackpot of 1.3 billion dollars on April 7, 2024. This windfall marks the fourth largest in Powerball history and the eighth largest in the annals of all U.S. lotteries.

At a press event organized by the Oregon Lottery, Saephan revealed his moving narrative of triumphing over adversity coupled with serendipity: he has been waging a battle against cancer for the past eight years.

Reportedly, Saephan, alongside his wife Duanpen and friend Laiza Chao, opted to collect the prize in a lump sum of $422 million post-taxes after purchasing the winning ticket together. This jackpot not only represents a life-altering moment for Saephan and his family but also a glimmer of hope in his cancer fight. “I will be able to provide for my family and my health,” emotional Saephan shared.

The remarkable journey to this stroke of good luck commenced when Chao, after chipping in $100 for the tickets, playfully texted Saephan a snapshot of them with the message, “We are millionaires.” This jest turned into reality the following day, concluding a period of over three months without any Powerball winners.

The winning ticket, which waited over three hours for the drawing to occur, matched the six essential numbers needed for the grand prize. The winning numbers drawn comprised 22, 27, 44, 52, 69, and the red Powerball 9, as per the New York Post. This sequence of digits paved the way for the fortunate ticket holder to bask in the glory of one of the most significant wins in American lottery history.

The Oregon Lottery emphasized that stringent security and verification protocols had to be adhered to before the fortunate individual’s identity could be disclosed, in compliance with state statutes that generally disallow player anonymity, save for specific situations. Winners have a window of one year to claim their jackpot. The victorious ticket was vended at a Plaid Pantry store in Portland in early April.

Saephan’s win not only transforms his life and aids in his health battle but also serves as a beacon of hope for countless dreamers striving to hit the jackpot.