Cancer survivor defies all odds by hitting four lottery jackpots worth $3 million
It's a stunning turn of 'four'-tune!
A Canadian cancer survivor has landed four lottery jackpots — racking up nearly $3 million in a jaw-dropping display of good luck and long odds.
David Serkin, a retiree from Alberta, hit it big in three lotteries over the past nine months — winning roughly $2.5 million — after netting $250,000 more than a decade ago, according to lottery officials.
'I know the odds are astronomical,' Serkin said a press release from the Western Canada Lottery Corporation. 'I don't think it'll happen again, but I still like buying tickets.'
David Serkin won four lottery jackpots — racking up nearly $3 million.
Western Canada Lottery Corporation
The super-lucky senior bought a Lotto 6/49 ticket from a gas station in his hometown of Lethbridge on May 3 and won $1 million.
On Nov. 16, he won $1 million playing the same game after scoring $500,000 in the LOTTO MAX draw on August 20 — when the odds of winning were just 1 in 33.3 million, lottery officials said.
Serkin had previously won roughly $250,000 in a jackpot more than a decade before his latest streak of good fortune, according to NOW Toronto news.
Serkin said his friends reacted to his latest lottery miracle by proclaiming 'not again?!' while they were out for coffee.
'I'm a cancer survivor and I'm retired, so I am just grateful for all of it,' he said.
David Serkin, who has been playing the lotto since 1982, said he likes the ritual of buying tickets and checking them.
Happy Hues – stock.adobe.com
Serkin, who didn't say what kind of cancer he had or when he beat it, plans to take his wife on a vacation to celebrate — again.
'I took my wife to Hawaii with the last win, and we had a great time,' Serkin said to officials. 'Now, we're going to Newfoundland.'
Serkin has been playing Canada's national lottery since its inception in 1982 and said he simply loves the ritual of it.
'You check your ticket and if you win – you're happy,' Serkin said. 'If you don't, you can always try again.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Axios
3 hours ago
- Axios
Weekend events: Pop-up water slide, Bourbon and Brisket Festival
It's going to be hot and humid this weekend, so grab your water and sunscreen and explore the city with these events: 🇨🇦 Celebrate the Canadian community and culture at the 19th annual Atlanta Canada Fest at Wild Heaven Brewery. (Sat.) 🛝 Channel your inner child with your kiddos at Slide City Water Park at Atlantic Station. (Thurs.-Sun. and June 26-29) 🎶 Jermaine Dupri, Bryan-Michael Cox & Keith Thomas will bring the Ladies Love R&B concert to Buckhead Theatre. (Fri.) 🏃 Get those steps in and log another Peachtree Road Race qualifier at the 47th annual Possum Trot 10K and Fun Run. (Sat.) 🎤 GloRilla, Offset, Young Dro and others will perform at the Hot 107.9 Birthday Bash ATL Classic Hip-Hop Concert. (Sat.) 🎵 Watch the Atlanta Gay Men's Chorus and Atlanta Symphony Orchestra belt out songs for the Disney Pride in Concert (Sat.) 🥳 Pullman Yards hosts the 5th annual Beaute Noir Fest, which celebrates Juneteenth. (Sat.)
Indianapolis Star
6 hours ago
- Indianapolis Star
Wall Street to Wildlife: New Children's Book Aims to Save Endangered Species, One Page at a Time
When most people retire, they take up hobbies, travel the world, or slow down to enjoy a quieter life. Carole Couture did the opposite. After three decades as a financial advisor navigating boardrooms and balance sheets, Couture has re-emerged with a mission that couldn't be further from spreadsheets-protecting endangered species and igniting young minds through literature. Her debut children's book, The Adventures of Pablo the Pangolin, is more than an illustrated tale-it's a clarion call against illegal wildlife trafficking and a celebration of empathy, courage, and ecological responsibility. In the book, readers are introduced to Pablo, a soft-spoken yet resilient pangolin whose peaceful life is disrupted by poachers seeking to profit from the illegal animal trade. Alongside his clever companions-Samba the monkey and Martin the bird-Pablo embarks on a heart-racing journey of survival through lush jungles and perilous encounters. While written for children, the narrative resonates deeply with adult themes: community, conservation, and the consequences of human greed. 'I never imagined my second chapter would be in children's publishing,' Couture said in an interview with Evrima Chicago. 'But when you spend enough time reflecting on what the world needs-especially through the eyes of your child-priorities become clear.' A Career Rooted in Numbers, a New Life Rooted in Purpose Couture's pivot is not just remarkable-it's instructive. Having spent 30 years advising high-net-worth clients on financial strategies, the Canadian-born writer stepped away from the corporate world to care full-time for her son Jean-Philippe, who has Down syndrome. That decision became her spiritual reset. The values she once applied to wealth-building-discipline, vision, patience-are now directed toward a cause that can't be measured in stock indices: teaching children to love, protect, and understand the planet. 'Every bedtime story became an opportunity to spark curiosity and values,' she recalls. 'Eventually, the stories started writing themselves.' The Adventures of Pablo the Pangolin is just the first of more than 60 manuscripts Couture has penned. Each one tackles important themes such as inclusion, kindness, resilience, and ecological stewardship-all deeply informed by her life as a parent and advocate. Tackling a Global Crisis with Storytelling Pangolins, though lesser known, are among the most heavily trafficked mammals in the world. According to the World Wildlife Fund, over one million pangolins have been illegally poached over the past decade for their scales and meat. Couture chose the pangolin precisely for this reason: 'He's a quiet creature. Timid, even. But his story is urgent-and most kids have never even heard of him. That had to change.' By casting Pablo as the protagonist, Couture makes the abstract issue of biodiversity loss both tangible and emotionally engaging for children. Pablo's innocence and bravery become vehicles for broader lessons: environmental degradation, friendship in adversity, and what it means to care for something smaller and more vulnerable than oneself. A Message Beyond the Page This book's impact goes beyond bedtime stories. Couture is working with educators and environmental NGOs to bring The Adventures of Pablo the Pangolin into classrooms as part of conservation literacy programs. Discussions are also underway for a bilingual edition to be distributed in Southeast Asia, where pangolin poaching is most prevalent. Her mission is supported by a growing online following of parents, teachers, and wildlife enthusiasts who see her work as part of a larger shift in children's literature-one where activism and storytelling go hand in hand. 'We live in an age where kids see climate change, animal extinction, and global injustice on TV before they even start school,' Couture notes. 'We can either hide these realities or give them tools-through story, empathy, and action.' What's Next for Pablo-and Carole Couture's follow-up titles are already in development. Without giving too much away, she teases a second installment involving Arctic wildlife and another tackling ocean pollution. 'If kids are going to inherit this planet, they deserve stories that reflect its challenges-and its beauty,' she says. Meanwhile, her personal journey remains at the heart of her work. Jean-Philippe, now a teenager, serves as her 'chief creative officer,' weighing in on character ideas and plot twists. 'His perspective is pure and unfiltered,' she laughs. 'And he has a surprisingly good sense of story structure.' From the financial markets to the forests of Asia, Carole Couture is showing that it's never too late to find your voice-and use it for good. Through Pablo the Pangolin, she's not only opening young minds but also challenging adults to reconsider what retirement-and impact-can look like. About the Author Carole Couture is a Montreal-born children's author and former financial advisor. She lives in upstate New York with her son Jean-Philippe. Her debut book, The Adventures of Pablo the Pangolin, is available now at and major retailers. Press Contact Dan Wasserman Editorial & Media Relations – Evrima Chicago PR@ +1 (909) 326-0347 Disclaimer Evrima Chicago takes immense pride in representing emerging voices like Carole Couture. As an independent editorial syndication and technology firm, we believe in championing meaningful content that combines impact, accessibility, and education. The views expressed in this article are the author's and are constructed by the Evrima Chicago editorial team through interviews and cited research. This content is not intended as legal, environmental, or educational advice. The views herein are for informational purposes only and are meant to spotlight important global issues through the lens of storytelling. All third-party data (e.g., trafficking statistics, wildlife references) are cited below. For media inquiries or reprint rights, contact PR@
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
Aufgusshow 2025 Wraps Up: Canada Crowns Its First National Sauna Performance Champions
WHITBY, Ontario, June 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Canada's inaugural National Sauna Performance Championship, Aufgusshow 2025, concluded this week at Thermea Spa Village Whitby, marking a major milestone for Canadian wellness culture. Hosted by Groupe Nordik, the three-day event welcomed more than 400 guests from across Canada and showcased 18 captivating performances by 20 talented Aufgussmeisters representing six spas across Ontario, Manitoba, and Quebec. Each routine was a fully choreographed sensory experience combining scent, steam, heat, music, and storytelling to bring the traditional Aufguss ritual to life on a theatrical stage. The competitors were evaluated by a panel of four European-certified judges based on creativity, scent composition, wave technique, storytelling and the overall guest experience. After an exciting lineup of solo and duo routines, the first place winners announced included: Jad Maalouf, Nordik Spa Village (Solo Category) Xavier Drouin-Hill & Zacharie Drouin-Hill (Duo Category) The second place winners included: Abigail Gillies, Thermea Spa Village Whitby (Solo Category) Kasha Kostrezewa & Jacqueline Mason, Thermea Spa Village Whitby (Duo Category) The third place winner included: Evens Dominique, Förena Cité thermale (Solo Category) The winners will go on to represent Canada at the Aufguss World Master Championships at Aquardens in Verona, Italy from September 15 to 21, 2025. The second place winners will have the opportunity to compete in the Playoffs taking place at SATAMA Sauna Resort & Spa in Wendisch Rietz, Germany from August 28 to 31, 2025 offering a final chance to qualify for the World Championships. 'This was more than a wellness event, it was a historic cultural moment,' said Martin Paquette, CEO and Founder of Groupe Nordik. 'We witnessed artistry, storytelling, and tradition come to life, and we're incredibly proud of the performers who brought it to the stage for the first time in Canada. Aufgusshow marks the beginning of an exciting new tradition, and we're thrilled to announce that Aufgusshow 2026 will return to Thermea Spa Village Whitby next year as we continue to grow and celebrate sauna culture here at home.' All performances took place inside Logga, North America's largest event sauna, which seated 90 guests per show. Attendees enjoyed not only the live performances but also full access to the Spa Village, including thermal baths, saunas, and outdoor relaxation spaces. For More InformationTo view event photos, competitor bios, and behind-the-scenes content, visit our media kit and enter the password: Aufgusshow2025. For more information, visit the Aufgusshow website and subscribe to Thermea Spa Village Whitby's newsletter to be the first to receive updates, dates, and early ticket access for Aufgusshow 2026. Interview RequestsFor media inquiries or to schedule interviews with the winners, please contact: Daisy RaudalesMedia Relations for Thermea Spa Village Whitby289-387-3185daisy@ About Groupe NordikGroupe Nordik is proudly Canadian-owned and headquartered in Gatineau, Quebec. With nearly 20 years of experience in the wellness industry, the journey began in 2005 with the opening of Nordik Spa Village in Chelsea. Since then, two more Spa Villages have opened in Winnipeg (2015) and Whitby (2022). Today, Groupe Nordik employs over 800 people across its corporate office in Gatineau and spa locations throughout Canada. As a North American leader in wellness, the group is an innovator that brings entertainment to the spa experience — blending global traditions with a strong sense of home. Each of its Spa Villages offers the widest selection of wellness experiences for both body and mind, all in one place. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
