Saturday Lotto: Terminally ill man reduced to tears by extraordinary outpouring of support after $772,000 win

A terminally ill man whose $772,000 Saturday Lotto win touched hearts across the country has been reduced to tears by an extraordinary outpouring of support from complete strangers.

The man, who has only months to live, has spent the past week reading hundreds of comments posted beneath stories about his bittersweet windfall.

His wife said that the flood of goodwill from strangers had proved as valuable as the winning ticket itself.

“You’ve made his day,” she said. “He loves reading the comments, people have been so kind and he’s been crying happy tears.

“We want to send out a great big thank you for all the good wishes.”

The man and his wife, who live in WA, shared one of eight division one prizes nationally in the May 23 Saturday Lotto draw, sharing in a $6 million jackpot.

While the life-changing cash cannot buy him more time, it has given him the chance to tick off bucket-list dreams, spend precious moments with family and ensure loved ones are looked after when he is gone.

The story struck a chord with readers, some of whom shared their own experiences with terminal illness and cancer.

Cassie Machin, who lost her 53-year-old husband to cancer in 2025, said that reading about the win warmed her heart.

“My husband’s final wish was to buy a 4WD and go fishing in Lancelin but he didn’t get that wish,” she wrote.

“So hearing this makes me so happy that this man and his family will get to do the things they wished they could.”

Others urged the winner to make every moment count.

“Enjoy every dollar and minute. Make memories that last a lifetime,” Jodi Oneil wrote.

Fiona Henry Di Prinzio added: “Go out and spoil yourself and the family and live out all your dreams and keep the precious memories of your smiling families’ faces.”

Many readers said the story was uplifting and heartbreaking at the same time.

“The best and saddest news I’ve heard in a long time,” Tracey Froome wrote.

“I hope the rest of your life is filled with lots of love, happiness, peace of mind and family and friends that mean the most to you.”

Heidimarie Everett echoed the sentiment: “Happy and heartbroken for this man all at the same time”.

Jessica KS Chia revealed she had been diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2016 and given six months to live.

Others celebrated the fact the money had gone to someone who truly deserved it.

Alex Jay said: “Really glad that somebody who actually needed it won it this time.”

And Colleen Unwin commented: “Now that guy truly deserves that win.”

The man’s wife said the support had left the family overwhelmed.

As he works through his bucket list, plans include flying business class to visit relatives on the east coast, bringing one of his sons home from overseas and sharing his good fortune with others.

“He’s bought $1000 worth of Woolies gift cards to give to the nursing staff and anyone who helps him along his way,” the man’s wife said.