Laos-born Cancer Survivor Charlie Saephan Reveals Himself as $1.3B Powerball Winner from Oregon, Plans to Use Win for Health and Family

Charlie Saephan, a Laos-born immigrant who has been battling cancer for eight years, revealed himself as the winner of the $1.3bn Powerball jackpot from Oregon during a news conference. He announced that he and his wife would be sharing the prize with a friend who had contributed to buying lottery tickets. They will receive a lump sum payment of $422m after taxes following their victory in one of the biggest US lotteries ever held.
Saephan, 46, from Portland said: “I am grateful for the lottery and how I have been blessed,” according to FOX8 news station. “My life has changed now – not just financially but spiritually.” Saephan also mentioned that he planned on finding a good doctor and continuing his chemotherapy treatment with the winnings, as well as using it to provide for his family.
Saephan’s friend Laiza Chao sent him a photo of their shared tickets before the draw jokingly stating: “We’re billionaires.” After they bought them together, he added that the next day their win became reality after they both came forward claiming their prize from Oregon Lottery officials who had to go through security and vetting procedures.
The winning ticket was sold at a Plaid Pantry convenience store in Portland during early April, ending an almost four-month streak without any winners of Powerball’s top prize. Under Oregon law, lottery players cannot remain anonymous – they have one year from the draw to claim their winnings. The biggest US jackpot ever won was $2.04bn (£1.63bn) in California last November.