SALEM, Ore. (NEWSnet/AP) — One of the winners of a historic $1.3 billion Powerball jackpot is an immigrant from Laos who has had battled for eight years.

https://www.newsnetmedia.com/story/50652478/oregon-powerball-winner-comes-forward-to-claim-dollar13b-jackpot

At a news conference held by Oregon Lottery, Cheng “Charlie” Saephan, of Portland, said he and his wife, Duanpen, would split the prize evenly with a friend, Laiza Chao, who contributed $100 to buy a batch of tickets with them. They are taking a lump-sum payment, $422 million after taxes.

“I will be able to provide for my family and my health,” he said, adding that he’d “find a good doctor for myself.”

He said that, as a cancer patient, he wondered, “How am I going to have time to spend all of this money? How long will I live?”

The winning ticket was sold in early April at a Plaid Pantry convenience store in Portland, ending a winless streak that had continued for more than three months.

Oregon Lottery said it had to go through a security and vetting process before announcing the identity of the winner.

Under Oregon law, lottery players cannot remain anonymous, with some exceptions. Winners have a year to claim the top prize.

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