Eastern Ontario organ donor who saved sister’s life wins $60M lottery prize
Posted Nov 23, 2022 02:36:00 PM.
An 83-year-old woman and organ donor from eastern Ontario is the province’s newest multi-millionaire after she took home $60 million through the Lotto Max jackpot.
The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) announced Vera Page of Vankleek Hill, Ont., with a population of just under 2,000 people, as its winner from the Nov. 1 draw.
Page said she took a ride on her scooter to a local grocer and bought a few lottery tickets. What came next was unexpected, to say the least.
“I checked the first few numbers. I said to myself, ‘OK,” and then the last number. They were all there. So, I decided to call my son,” Page said. “I said, if you don’t believe me, come up and see [for yourself].”
The 83-year-old said her son started screaming in excitement, which she took as a good sign.
“I guess I won,” Page said. “I phoned my sister, too. She didn’t believe me.”
Page revealed that in 1983, her sister needed a kidney transplant in a life-or-death situation. She told her sibling that if she proved to be a match, she’d be her donor.
“I knew if I didn’t do it, she’d die. I gave her the kidney.”
As for what she plans on doing with the winnings, Page said she would share it with family members and donate some to charity.
“I want to build myself a house. My son will be on one side, and I will be on the other,” Page continued. “I’d like to take a few cruises, a few trips, and I’d like to go south for the winter.”
“This is a big change for me,” Page said.
“Keep buying Lotto Max. I never thought I’d win. I’ve been buying them for a long time, and I am not going to stop now.”
