46-YO Laotian Man Battling Cancer Wins $1.3 Bn Powerball, Wants To Get A 'New Home' And A 'Good Doctor'

The Oregon Lottery named three winners of the $1.3 billion Powerball prize on Monday, including Laos-born immigrant Cheng Saephan, who has been battling cancer for eight years.

In a press conference held at the Oregon Jackpot Headquarters in Salem, Oregon, 46-year-old Saephan, his wife Duanpen Saephan, 37, and friend Laiza Chao, 55, were all revealed as winners of the enormous jackpot after drawing a winning ticket earlier this month.

What did the winner say post winning the $1.3 Billion Powerball?

Cheng Saephan has been battling cancer for eight years | Image: YouTube Screengrab

Saephan began the ritual by thanking God and revealing his past as an immigrant.

(Also read: British Pizza Delivery Driver Wins ? 5 Crore Lottery, Wants To Buy A New Home And Take A Holiday)

He said, ¡°I was born in Laos in 1977. I moved to Thailand in 1987 and stayed in Thailand for six years. I came to America in 1994 and graduated from high school in 1996. I [have been] working since then till 2016, [when] I found out I have cancer. So since 2016, I¡¯ve been battling with cancer for eight years now. Currently, I [am] still having chemotherapy, I just had one last Monday and I¡¯m still fighting,¡± Saephan stated. ¡°I¡¯m thankful for the lottery and how I have been blessed with this prize. I will be able to provide for my family and my health.¡±

When did he purchase the winning ticket?

Saephan, who claimed to play the lottery with his wife and Chao, purchased 20 Powerball tickets. "I call Laiza as she's driving to work, I told her you don't have to go to work now; we won the lottery; we won the jackpot!"

(Also read: American Man Claims ?90 Lakh Lottery Prize For Second Time In Just 6 Months)

The 46-year-old explained. According to ABC 7 Chicago, the winning ticket was sold on April 6 at the Plaid Pantry convenience shop in Portland, Oregon, and it matched all of the winning numbers 22, 27, 44, 52, and 69, as well as the Powerball number 9.

According to the Oregon Lottery, the $1.326 billion Powerball ticket was the fourth-largest Powerball prize and the eighth-largest in the country's jackpot games.

How does the man plan to spend his share of winnings?

Saephan stated that his first expenses with the wins will be a new home for himself and his family, as well as a "good doctor" to help him fight cancer.

According to CBS News, Saephan opted to receive the prizes in one big sum, totalling $422 million after taxes.

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