A Pennsylvania woman recently experienced a double dose of good fortune. Donna Osborne, 75, not only completed her breast cancer treatment but also won a $5 million lottery jackpot.
Donna, a great-grandmother, found herself $5 million richer after purchasing a scratch-off ticket at a gas station in Lancaster County. She bought it in June on her way home from the airport. Her flight had been delayed multiple times, prompting her to abandon her travel plans.
She mentioned that she had been poised to travel to Florida with her daughter to see family, having just completed her radiation therapy for breast cancer.
“[The flight] was delayed so many times, I decided to go home. My daughter stayed and flew to Florida,” Osborne explained to Pennsylvania Lottery officials. “If I didn’t leave the airport, I would have never bought that ticket.”
Donna discovered her incredible win while still in the gas station parking lot. She recalled, “I could not believe my eyes! I went back into the store and said, ‘Can you please check this? Is it right or wrong?’ The clerk confirmed, ‘It’s right.’”
Her daughter, who had continued on to Florida, initially didn’t believe her mother had won such a massive amount when Donna broke the news over a phone call.
“She didn’t believe me,” said Donna of her daughter’s reaction.
Though she’s now $5 million richer, Donna says she plans to continue working. “I don’t know what I’d do with myself, I have to keep moving,” she told Pennsylvania Lottery officials.
Donna does have plans to travel, with Alaska being a top destination on her list. Additionally, she intends to invest some of her winnings as well.
Lottery officials haven’t disclosed the exact amount Donna will receive after taxes, but regardless, it’s a remarkable twist of fate that’s left Donna and her family elated.