8 Years Of Cancer Opponents, Lao Immigrants In The US Win 1.3 Billion US Dollars

UNSPLASH/Amit Lahav ILLUSTRATION

JAKARTA - Cheng Saephan, an immigrant from Laos, won a $1.3 billionture Powerball in Oregon, United States (US). Saephan has been battling cancer for eight years.

Powerball tickets won, sold in early April at the Plaid Registry supermarket in Portland, ending a record winless streak that has lasted more than three months.

Oregon officials from CBS News said Tuesday, April 30, Cheng Saephan, 46, who lives in Portland and underwent his last chemotherapy treatment last week, claimed a winning ticket.

"I am grateful for this lottery and how blessed I have been," Saephan told reporters at a press conference Monday, April 29, according to CBS affiliate, KOIN.

I was able to support my family and my health... My life has changed. Now I can bless my family and hire a good doctor for myself.

Saephan said he relied on a combination of belief and luck when he bought more than 20 tickets for draw.

"I pray to God to help me," he said. 'My children are still young and I'm not so healthy.'

Officials said Saephan decided to take his win as cash, $422 million after tax, alongside his wife Duanpen Saephan, 37, and his friend Laiza Chao, 55, from Milwaukie.

Saephan said his friend got part of the win because he gave him 100 US dollars to buy coupons.

He plans to buy a house for himself and his family in Oregon. He also said he was likely to continue playing lottery after his win.

"I might be lucky again," he said. "I'll keep playing."

Under the Oregon law, with few exceptions, lottery players cannot remain anonymous. The winner has one year to claim the grand prize.

Oregon Locate said it had to go through a security and inspection process before announcing the identity of the person who filed the claim.

The US$1.3 billion prize is the fourth-largest Powerball sequel in history, and the eighth-largest among the USwas game, according to Oregon Lottery.