Mom who spent life savings on daughter’s cancer treatment wins $2M jackpot
Written by ABC Audio. All rights reserved. on April 11, 2023
(LAKELAND, Fla.) — A Florida woman who spent her life savings to help her daughter beat breast cancer is now a millionaire.
Geraldine Gimblet of Lakeland bought a winning Florida Lottery ticket one day after her daughter completed her final treatment for breast cancer.
Gimblet said she purchased the last available ticket the store had of her favorite Scratch-Off game.
“At first, the gas station clerk thought there were no tickets left, but I asked him to double check because I like the crossword games the best,” Gimblet said, according to the Florida Lottery. “He found the last one!”
The $10 ticket was a $2 million dollar winner for Gimblet, according to the Florida Lottery.
When she claimed the prize at the lottery’s headquarters in Tallahassee last week, Gimblet did so alongside her daughter and granddaughter.
Gimblet’s daughter, who was not named, shared with Florida Lottery officials how her mom supported her financially during her cancer battle.
“The day before my mom bought this ticket, I rang the bell and walked out of the hospital after completing my last treatment for breast cancer,” she said. “My mom had taken out her life savings to take care of me when I was sick. I’m just so happy for her!”
Gimblet did not reply to ABC News’ request for comment.
According to the Florida Lottery, Gimblet opted for a one-time, lump-sum payment, meaning she took home just over $1.6 million.
Copyright © 2023, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
