Harvey man to donate part of $1M lotto win to sickle cell anemia charity

HARVEY, Ill. (WLS) -- When Richard Clay discovered he won $1 million, he said he knew right away how he would use part of the windfall.

"A close friend of mine has a 10-year-old son who suffers from sickle cell anemia. With this prize I can help him by making a donation to a charity that fights this disease," said the Harvey resident, when he presented his $1 million winning "$300,000,000 Cash Spectacular" instant ticket at the Illinois Lottery Prize Center in Chicago.

Clay said he was at home in his living room when he used a dime to scratch his winning ticket. Initially, Clay thought it was a $1,000 prize. It wasn't until he was at the Lottery Prize Center that he discovered he had won $1 million.

"It was the happiest moment of my life," he said.

A retired fork lift operator, Clay has lived in Harvey most of his life. He served in the United States Marine Corps for four years. When asked what advice he would give other lottery players he said, "If you win, enjoy your money, but make sure you also help someone in some way."

The winning ticket was purchased at PK Liquor & Food, 280 East 147th Street in Harvey. The retailer will receive a bonus of $10,000, equal to 1 percent of the prize amount, for selling the winning ticket.

"$300,000,000 Cash Spectacular" offers $300,000,000 in prizes, including 35 top prizes of $1 million. There are 32 $1 million prizes that have yet to be claimed. For more information, please visit www.illinoislottery.com.