In a turn of events that has captured the nation's attention, a Laotian immigrant battling cancer for the past eight years has emerged as the winner of the $1.3 billion Powerball jackpot. Cheng "Charlie" Saephan, a 46-year-old resident of Portland, Oregon, was revealed as the lucky ticket holder, marking the end of a winless streak that had stretched over three months.
Saephan, who plans to split the prize with a friend who contributed to the lottery ticket purchase, expressed his gratitude during a news conference. "I am grateful for the lottery and how I have been blessed," he said. "I am able to provide for my family and my health. My life has been changed. Now I can bless my family and hire a good doctor for myself."
The winning ticket was purchased at a Plaid Pantry convenience store in Portland in early April. Saephan's friend, Laiza Chao, who shared the tickets, sent a photo of the tickets to Saephan before the drawing with a message that read, "We’re billionaires." The joke turned into reality the following day when their numbers were drawn.
The Oregon Lottery confirmed the identity of the winner after a thorough security and vetting process. Under Oregon law, lottery winners cannot remain anonymous, with few exceptions, and have a year to claim the top prize.
The $1.3 billion prize is the fourth largest Powerball jackpot in history, and the eighth largest among U.S. jackpot games, according to the Oregon Lottery. The winners have opted for a lump sum payment of $422 million after taxes, instead of an annuity paid over 30 years.
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