After putting his Powerball numbers under his pillow for some extra luck, an Oregon man hits big in the largest Powerball jackpot in the game’s history.
It's time for another feel-good story about some of the latest Powerball winners. A trio in Oregon cashed in the fourth-largest Powerball jackpot in the game’s history. Cheng "Charlie" Saephan of Portland purchased the winning ticket at Plaid Pantry in northeast Portland for the April 6th drawing. He also ended up being the only one in the country to match all six numbers plus the Powerball. His story is filled with heartfelt generosity, plus a little luck, a pillow, and a lot of faith!
Sharing the Powerball Jackpot Good Fortune
Saephan told Oregon Lottery officials that he planned on sharing the Powerball jackpot with his wife, Duanpen Saephan, and friend, Laiza Chao. The split would be 25% for each of the Saephans and 50% for Chao.
Chao originally contributed $100 to purchasing the Powerball tickets and Saephan couldn’t wait to tell her the good news. Saephan called Chao on her way to work and said, “You don’t have to go to work now,” Saephan told her. “We won - we won the jackpot!”
The Battle of a Lifetime
The winnings couldn’t have come at a better time for Saephan and his family. He had been battling cancer for eight years and was still in chemotherapy and treatment.
He had purchased over 20 tickets before the April 6th drawing, hoping some faith and luck could help him win and provide some extra financial stability for his family.
A Pillow for Good Luck
The Powerball jackpot grew to $1.326 billion dollars this year, and Saephan knew he needed to get in on the action. After purchasing his tickets, he wrote the numbers out on a piece of paper and slept with them under his pillow for good luck.
Saephan said in a press conference, “I prayed to God to help me. My kids are young, and I'm not that healthy.”
“Now I have been blessed with this prize,” he said. “I am going to be able to provide for my family and my health. I prayed for a blessing, and my prayers were answered.”
The Biggest Winner in Oregon History
This was a history-making Powerball jackpot winner in the state of Oregon. The winning ticket is the biggest prize ever won in the state. The Oregon Lottery director said, “I want to offer my heartfelt congratulations to the Saephans and Ms. Chao on this historic win.” He continued to say, “Not only is the prize life-changing for the three of them and their families, it's also a huge win for the state.”
The state of Oregon wins big, too, since the winning Powerball ticket was sold there. About a third of the sales from the Powerball are returned to the state for numerous development projects and services that benefit the people of Oregon. Since 1985, the state has earned almost $15.5 billion for these state-funded programs.
Additionally, Plaid Pantry, the Oregon convenience store that sold the official winning Powerball ticket, earned a $100,000 bonus.
A Happy Ending for the Powerball Winners
The Saephans and Chao were given the option of one-lump cash sum or 30 annual installments. They opted for the lump-sum and will take home $422 million after taxes (8% state and 24% federal).
Saephan says he had plans on buying his dream home and staying in Oregon, a place he has called home for over 30 years. He says his family can live “worry free” despite his ongoing illness.
This Powerball winner story is just one of many, demonstrating the life-changing power of a single drawing. Get inspired by this winner's good fortune, and get out there. Maybe even put your numbers under your pillow. You could be the next Powerball winner in the headlines!