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$1.3 Billion Powerball Winner Revealed as Immigrant Who's Battled Cancer for 8 Years: 'I Might Get Lucky Again. I'll Keep Playing.' Cheng Saephan, 46, purchased the winning ticket earlier this month at a convenience store in Oregon.

By Emily Rella

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Oregon Lottery
Cheng “Charlie” Saephan collects his $1.3 billion Powerball prize in Oregon.

The mystery winner of the $1.3 billion Powerball prize earlier this month has been revealed — and it's a heartwarming story.

The lucky ticket was purchased in Oregon by 46-year-old Cheng Saephan, an immigrant from Laos who's been battling cancer for eight years.

Saephan purchased the ticket at a Plaid Pantry store in Portland for the April 6 drawing. Plaid Pantry will also receive a $100,000 bonus for selling the winning ticket.

Related: Man in Debt His Entire Life Wins Lottery, Pays Off Mortgage

Saephan chose to take his winnings as a lump sum payout, which will equal $422 million after taxes. It will be split amongst himself (he'll take 50%), his wife, Duanpen, and his friend, Laiza, who gave him $100 towards buying tickets.

The lucky winner told local outlet KOIN 6 that when he found out he had won, he called Laiza and told her, "You don't have to work anymore."

"I am grateful for the lottery and how I have been blessed," Saephan told the outlet. "I am able to provide for my family and my health."

Saephan, who had his most recent chemotherapy treatment just last week, said he plans to use the funds toward finding a "good doctor" to help him with the rest of his treatment.

"I am in the middle of battling cancer, so I was thinking, 'How am I going to have time to spend all of this money?'" Saephan joked. "I might get lucky again. I'll keep playing."

Related: Man Wins $22M Lottery But Won't Tell His Children, Parents

Saephan's jackpot is the fourth largest in U.S. history. The largest was a California-winning ticket that garnered a $2.04 billion win in 2022.

This is, however, the largest prize ever won in Oregon, beating out the record of a Powerball win in 2005 for $340 million.

Emily Rella

Senior News Writer

Emily Rella is a Senior News Writer at Entrepreneur.com. Previously, she was an editor at Verizon Media. Her coverage spans features, business, lifestyle, tech, entertainment, and lifestyle. She is a 2015 graduate of Boston College and a Ridgefield, CT native. Find her on Twitter at @EmilyKRella.

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