$1.3 billion Powerball winner is an immigrant from Laos battling cancer

Meet Powerball jackpot winner Cheng ‘Charlie’ Saephan.

He is an immigrant who is fighting cancer.

He just won the $1.3 million jackpot!

A DREAM COME TRUE! Cheng ‘Charlie’ Saephan is just won the $1.3 billion Powerball jackpot.

The immigrant from Laos, who has battled cancer for eight years, gave details about what he will do with the prize money and how it will help him.

Through faith and perseverance, Saephan and his family have a new opportunity for financial security.

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Cheng ‘Charlie’ Saephan wins the Powerball jackpot

Photo: AP

In an extraordinary twist of fate, Cheng ‘Charlie’ Saephan has become one of the winners of the $1.3 billion Powerball jackpot this month.

He is a 46-year-old immigrant from Laos who has battled cancer for eight years and has just gotten some of the best news of his life.

The news has generated amazement and hope in the community, highlighting a story of perseverance and strength.

Saephan, who has worked as a machinist for an aerospace company and has lived in Portland for three decades, now looks to the future with optimism and gratitude.

What will he do with the big prize?

Photo: AP

Saephan, a Portland resident, revealed at a news conference hosted by the Oregon Lottery that he and his wife Duanpen, 37, will take half of the prize.

While the rest will go to her friend Laiza Chao, 55, from the Portland suburb of Milwaukie.

Chao, who had contributed $100 to buy a batch of tickets with them, shared the excitement of the win.

The total prize, after taxes, is estimated at an impressive $422 million.

Cheng ‘Charlie’ Saephan is fighting for his life

Winner of $1.3B Powerball jackpot is an immigrant from Laos who has cancer https://t.co/qUWyvYvdH7 pic.twitter.com/iLtVGI0H7z

— New York Post (@nypost) April 29, 2024

Saephan’s story is marked by his fight with cancer, a battle he has faced for almost a decade.

With two young children in his care, his thoughts initially turned to his health and the future of his family.

He said he asked himself: “How am I going to have time to spend all of this money? How long will I live?»

Ironically, shortly after Chao joked, «We are billionaires,» the winning numbers confirmed his fortune.

Perseverance pays off

#BREAKING: An immigrant from Laos Asia battling cancer has won 1.3 billion dollars for playing the Powerball jackpot⁰⁰ #Salem | #Oregon

Cheng Saephan, an immigrant from Laos Asia living in Salem Oregon has won a historic $1.3 billion Powerball jackpot last month. Despite… pic.twitter.com/KAkAT4rwty

— RAWSALERTS (@rawsalerts) April 29, 2024

Saephan’s path to wealth has not been easy. Born in Laos, he moved to Thailand in 1987 and finally immigrated to the United States in 1994.

At the news conference, he wore a sash that identified him as a member of the Iu Mien ethnic group, whose members are originally from Southeast Asia and have their roots in southern China.

The Iu Mien community, known for its history of helping US forces during the Vietnam War, according to The Associated Press.

And it has also found an active home on the west coast of the United States, with a significant presence in Portland.