Itโs been a year since Cheng โCharlieโ Saephanโs life was forever changed, as he discovered the Powerball ticket he purchased was worth $1.3 billion - the largest in Oregonโs history and fourth largest Powerball jackpot in history. Saephan shared the prize with his wife and a friend, who went in on the ticket purchase.ย ย
Since April 6, when the winning drawing took place, heโs been focused on his health, and is โstill fightingโ a cancer diagnosis. Other than a guysโ trip to Vegas, he has chosen to stay in the Portland area and has undergone two surgeries, not allowing for much jet setting.ย ย ย ย ย
So how has the prize changed his life over the past year? Saephan used some of his good fortune to buy a new home for his family and made a fun purchase for himself โ a metallic, neon Lamborghini. The color and style is so rare, he had to purchase the sports car from a dealer in Canada.ย ย
โI donโt worry about money now,โ he said. โIโve got my family set up.โย ย
Heโs also supporting the community, with the purchase of east side apartments as an investment property and is financially invested in a growing, local Thai restaurant group.ย
The response to his big win had hisย heartfelt storyย and picture show up in media coverage across the globe. He was even recognized by a stranger at a Blazer game.ย ย
โโHi, how are you doing?โ a woman at the game asked,โ Saephan said. โI had a beer in my hand and we cheered and she was acting like she knows me. I said, โdo I know you?โ and she said, โI saw you on the news. You look like the guy who won the lottery.โโย ย ย
Day to day, not much has changed. Saephan is at home when his children arrive after school and mostly continues to enjoy a simple life.ย He still enjoys some lottery play, buying Powerball and Megabucks tickets each week. He believes he could win again, as much as he believes in using his good fortune to help support his family and community.ย
Source: Oregon Lottery