An immigrant fighting a relapse of cancer came forward on Monday to claim his share of the $1.326 Powerball prize that he and his wife and buddy won earlier this month.
The winning Powerball numbers for the drawing held on April 6 were red Powerball 9, 22, 27, 44, 52, and 69. In support of his wife, Duanpen Saephan, 37, and friend, 55-year-old Laiza Chao, one of the more than 20 tickets that 46-year-old Cheng "Charlie" Saephan bought at the Plaid Pantry convenience store, situated at 6060 NE Columbia Boulevard in Portland, matched the six drawn numbers.
At the Oregon Lottery, Saephan claimed the win that would change her life. He disclosed to lottery organizers that he has previously fought cancer and is presently battling a relapse.
I prayed to God to help me. My kids are young and I’m not that healthy,” Saephan said.
The cash option, which came to $422.3 million after federal taxes, will be divided among the three winners. Half of the fortune will go to Chao and the Saephans.
Selling the ticket earned The Plaid Pantry a $100K extra commission, certainly the largest lottery reward in Oregon history. The previous record was set in 2005 when a $340 million prize was won.
Win Casts Light on the Asian Population
Although Saephan identified himself as an Iu Mien, a Southeast Asian ethnic group with Chinese origins, he told the media that he was born in Laos.
During the Vietnam War, many of its members escaped to Thailand and then to the United States.
During the Vietnam War, the Iu Mien people fought alongside the Americans to blockade the Ho Chi Minh Trail, which the North Vietnamese used to move weapons and soldiers from North Vietnam to South Vietnam via Laos and Cambodia.
Saephan clarified that he relocated to Thailand in 1987 with his family before coming to the United States in 1994. After two years, he received his high school diploma and has been a Portland resident for over thirty years. Saephan has been employed by an aerospace business as a machinist, but given his extraordinary riches, his employment there may be coming to an end.
Saephan declared, "I will be able to provide for my family and my health," and he mentioned that he intended to locate the greatest physician for his continued care.
Saephan said as the Powerball jackpot continued to roll over, he would lay at night praying to win.
I need some help — I don’t want to die yet unless I have done something for my family first,” Saephan explained.
Saephan can now relax knowing that he's accomplished more than just "something," an accomplishment that should bring in wealth for the family for many generations to come, with a lot of luck and good fortune on his side.
Next Up, Who?
In the upcoming days, weeks, or months, the two most popular lottery games in the US, Powerball and Mega Millions, have the potential to transform lives on a regular basis and provide wealth for future generations.
The projected jackpot for Tuesday night's Mega Millions is $257 million, including a $115.6 million cash option. There is a greater than one in 302.5 million chance of a ticket matching all six chosen numbers.
The projected Powerball jackpot for Wednesday night is $178 million, with a cash option of $81.3 million. The highest prize in Powerball has a one in 292.2 million chance of being won.
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