‘How long will I live?’ Immigrant fighting cancer hits $1.3 billion Powerball jackpot

According to competition officials, a Laos-born immigrant fighting cancer has won a whopping $1.3 billion on Powerball, America's lottery game.

According to reports, Cheng Saephan, 46, purchased the winning ticket for the 7 April drawin Portland, Oregon. Portland resident Saephan said at an Oregon Lottery news conference that he and his 37-year-old wife, Duanpen, will split the prize. The other half will go to their friend, Laiza Chao, 55, of Milwaukie, a suburb of Portland.

Saephan has been undergoing chemotherapy for almost eight years. He, his wife, and a friend had joined up to purchase more than 20 Powerball tickets for the 7 April draw.

"Now I can bless my family and hire a good doctor for myself. My life has been changed," Saephan told CBS. “I prayed to God to help me. My kids are young and I'm not that healthy,” he added.

“How am I going to have time to spend all of this money? How long will I live?” he thought.

How much money did Cheng Saephan win?

Chao had given $100 toward the purchase of the tickets.After-taxreductions, the winners took home over $422 million. It was the fourth-highest prize in Powerball history, with the biggest payout yet being $2.04 billion in 2022.The winning numbers were 22, 27, 44, 52,69, with the red Powerball 9.

Compared to an annuity paid over 30 years, the jackpot's pre-tax cash value was $621 million if it was accepted as a single payment. In Oregon, the reward is taxable at both the federal and state levels.

How much does the Powerball ticket price cost?

Each Powerball ticket costs $2, and it can be purchased in 45 US states, the US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia.

(With inputs from agencies)