Two friends came together in a life-changing moment, and continue to share these moments living their dream in Etna, Wyo.
Gale and Judy (last names excluded to protect privacy) met approximately 25 years ago, when Gale became very ill and was in the hospital. Judy happened to be a blood donor that was on call if donations were ever needed urgently, which occurred from time to time.
“I was called to give a direct donation, so I got to the hospital at 1 a.m., and I saved her life,” Judy said. She added she went straight to the hospital to do the donation after fighting a house fire as a firefighter.
The transfusion was given directly to Gale and saved her life. From that day forward, the women have been the best of friends.
Together, the two ladies purchase lottery tickets regularly and vowed that if they ever win, they will share it. On Jan. 6, 2020, they shared another life changing moment when they held the winning ticket to the Cowboy Draw jackpot.
The total amount won was $811,058. Judy purchased the ticket Dec. 24, 2019 at Maverik located on 160 N. Main, in Thayne, Wyo. “I happened to be out from my house for the first time in several days because I was sick, so I decided to buy our tickets in Thayne,” Judy said.
“We love meeting the winners, and changing lives, and making an impact,” said Jon Clontz, CEO of the Wyoming Lottery Corporation.
The Cowboy Draw jackpot has now been hit 24 times since it was launched in March 2015. Cowboy Draw players have taken home more than $37 million since launch.
The Cowboy Draw jackpot was last hit on Oct. 21, 2019, at more than $1.1 million. This is the first jackpot winner of the year for Cowboy Draw.
To receive updates and notifications about Cowboy Draw, Mega Millions®, Powerball®, and Lucky for Life®, visit wyolotto.com/signup.