SALEM, Ore. (AP) — One of the winners of a $1.3 billion Powerball jackpot this month is an immigrant from Laos who has had cancer for eight years and had his latest chemotherapy treatment last week. Cheng “Charlie” Saephan, 46, of Portland, told a news conference held by the Oregon Lottery on Monday that he and his 37-year-old wife, Duanpen, would split the prize evenly with a friend. Laiza Chao, 55, of the Portland suburb of Milwaukie, had chipped in $100 to buy a batch of tickets with them. They are taking a lump sum payment, $422 million after taxes. “I will be able to provide for my family and my health,” he said, adding that he’d “find a good doctor for myself.” Saephan, who has two young children, said that as a cancer patient, he wondered, “How am I going to have time to spend all of this money? How long will I live?” After they bought the shared tickets, Chao sent a photo of the tickets to Saephan and said, “We’re billionaires.” It was a joke before the actual drawing, he said, but the next day it came true. |
Former world champion Alaphilippe wins the hilly 12th stage of the Giro. Pogacar still leadsIowa center called police nearly 1,000 times in 3 years before teen killed staffer, records showSpanish police say they've broken up Sinaloa cartel network, and seized 1.8 tons of methWest Virginia candidate hospitalized after being bitten by snakes while removing campaign signsEmily Ratajkowski dazzles in plunging spiral print dress at the 2024 Whitney GalaMoment British tourists wade into the sea and sprinkle lovedMaverick Kentucky congressman has avoided fallout at home after antagonizing GOP leadersPGA Championship begins at Valhalla with Rory McIlroy, Tiger WoodsTrump hush money trial: Defense lawyers question Michael Cohen's credibilitySuspended Argonauts QB Chad Kelly withdraws from camp, citing desire to minimize distractions