Unexpected Windfall Days Before Birthday
The winner, identified as Janet Murray, said she matched all five numbers in the Dec. 9 Cash 5 drawing, unlocking the jackpot worth US $534,619 — a life-altering sum from a humble one-dollar ticket. Ms. Murray told officials she discovered her win just two days before her birthday, adding an extra layer of surprise to an already special time.
“I won it two days before my birthday,” Murray said, according to the lottery release. Despite her excitement, she chose to wait until Christmas to share the thrilling news with her closest family members, making the holiday season even more memorable.
Plans for the Future
Murray, a long-time resident of the Fayetteville area, said she intends to use part of her winnings to support her loved ones. “I want to give some to my children and also open an education fund for my great-grandchildren,” she told lottery officials. Her plans reflect not just personal joy, but a commitment to providing long-term benefit to her family.
How the Win Happened
The winning ticket was purchased at a local retail location in Fayetteville, where Murray regularly buys her Cash 5 tickets — a popular daily draw game offered by the North Carolina Education Lottery. Cash 5 tickets cost US $1 per play, and players select five numbers from a field of 1–43; matching all five drawn numbers wins the jackpot.
Cash 5 jackpots begin at US $100,000 and roll over daily until won. The odds of winning the top prize by matching all five numbers are approximately 1 in 962,598, making Murray’s victory both rare and remarkable.
Impact and Community Interest
The North Carolina Education Lottery, which oversees Cash 5 and other lottery games, said that proceeds from ticket sales help fund education programs throughout the state. These include scholarships, pre-kindergarten initiatives, and other educational grants that benefit students and schools in North Carolina.
Lottery officials have also encouraged players to check their tickets regularly and take advantage of responsible play resources, emphasizing that while big wins can happen, lottery participation should always be within personal means.
A Quiet Victory with Big Meaning
Murray’s win comes at a time when many Americans are watching their budgets closely, and her story has drawn attention for both its human interest and financial impact. From a simple US $1 ticket to more than half a million dollars in winnings, her experience is a reminder that, in the world of lottery games, even modest wagers can yield extraordinary outcomes.
As she begins a new year with renewed financial security, Murray’s story serves as a testament to perseverance, family values, and a bit of serendipity — all wrapped up in a humble piece of paper.