There is a staggering $1.8 billion jackpot on the line for Saturday’s Powerball drawing. If someone wins, it would become the second-largest lottery jackpot in US history. If no one wins, Monday’s drawing could possibly set a new record. Either way, all eyes are on the Powerball drawing that could potentially turn one lucky winner into a very, very rich person overnight.
The Powerball has been known to change fortunes, with winners raking in millions. However, one of the winners of last year’s $1.3 billion jackpot does not have much time left to enjoy his newfound wealth.
Winner of 2024 Powerball jackpot
Cheng “Charlie” Saephan was one of the winners of a $1.3 billion Powerball jackpot last year. Born in Laos and raised in a refugee camp, he immigrated to the United States in 1994.
Now based in Portland, Oregon, Saephan was among the three winners of the 2024 Powerball jackpot, where the $1.3 billion prize totalled $422 million after taxes. He had bought the winning ticket with his wife and a friend, Laiza Chao, according to an Associated Press report.
Four months left to live
Saephan, however, was suffering from cancer when he won the jackpot. The cancer has only spread in the last one year. He now has only four months left to live, according to a CBS News report.
{{/usCountry}}Saephan, however, was suffering from cancer when he won the jackpot. The cancer has only spread in the last one year. He now has only four months left to live, according to a CBS News report.
{{/usCountry}}“I will be able to provide for my family and my health,” Saephan had said after winning the Powerball jackpot in 2024. “[I will] find a good doctor for myself.”
But the best doctors that money can buy have told Saephan that he has only four months to live. (Also read: Cheng Saephan, Oregon Powerball winner, reveals where he spends his $1.3 billion)
But Saephan takes consolation in the fact that his family will never have to struggle for money. “I don’t worry about money now. I’ve got my family set up,” he said.
Powerball drawing today
The drawing is scheduled for Saturday at 10:59 pm ET in Tallahassee, Florida.
According to AP, the prize ballooned after the lottery held more than 40 consecutive drawings without anyone matching all of the game's six numbers. Whenever a drawing fails to get a winner, the lottery rolls over the winnings.
(With inputs from the Associated Press)