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
Buzz Feed
an hour ago
- Buzz Feed
11 Things I Learned On A Trip To Reno And Lake Tahoe
I'm a huge traveller, and there's only a handful of destinations I won't visit. I mean, do you blame me? What 20-something wouldn't jump at the chance to visit a new place? But I gotta be honest, when I got an email asking to join a weekend getaway trip to Reno and Lake Tahoe in Nevada, I was skeptical. I've been to Nevada once before (to see Britney Spears perform in Las Vegas, duh), and I wasn't a big fan of the gambling lifestyle. And upon a quick Google search, I learned Reno was known for their casinos too. But you know what? I decided not to let my fear of casinos stop me from taking the chance. Like, how could I pass up the opportunity to cruise along the same lake Alanis Morissette, Canadian icon, owned a house on? AND explore the city Golden Bachelorette runner-up Guy Gansert is from? So I said YES! It was a three-day getaway with five other gals I'd never met before. And oh boy, did I learn a TON from the trip, including a huge surprise I wasn't expecting. Without further ado, here are some very honest thoughts and recs from my trip to Reno Tahoe — coming to you from a certified high-maintenance girlie. My very first impression of Reno Tahoe was from the plane. And it was unlike anything I've ever seen before, as someone who has basically never been in the desert. Thankfully I booked a window seat, because I was snapping pics the entire hills were ALIVE, all right. You could also see snow-covered hills in the background, which was soooooo cool. After worrying too much about it, it turns out that I surprisingly enjoyed watching the hustle and bustle of the casino and seeing so many people out and about. I'm a certified extrovert, so maybe that's why. I found it creates a cool ambiance, ya know? Even if I don't wanna gamble myself, it's honestly really fun seeing other people so engaged in it. But I have to say, I equally appreciated the quieter weekdays, especially by the I'd definitely visit during the week if that's more your vibe. We stayed at the Grand Sierra Resort, which was HUGE and really proximal to pretty much everything. And can I just say, the food and activity options were A MAJOR WOW inside the resort. Bowling? A whole cake shop? A Starbucks? An Asian restaurant, sports bar, buffet…yeah. Sign me the heck up. I very well could've never left the resort if I so desired. Although, like, I definitely did get lost making my way up to my room on the 15th floor. Yes, I'm flexing. The view was beautiful. The weather in Reno was scorching — like, 35 degrees Celsius and sunny every day — which I personally LOVED, as someone who has been the victim of constantly rainy spring weather in Toronto. I had no clue that Nevada gets so hot (clueless Canadian over here), but it was awesome! I spent every free hour I got at the pool, soaking in the sun. This is your sign to just BOOK THE TOUR, wherever you're travelling. Even if you're hesitant to really lean into the whole "tourist" thing, seriously, find a tour and book it anyway! We went on a pedicab art tour around Reno and saw so much sustainable art, which was absolutely sick as someone who loves both art and the environment. That polar bear!!! How adorable?! On the tour, I surprised myself with how much I learned, and it totally helped me appreciate the city even more. Plus, the tour was the perfect thing to do at the beginning of the trip, because from then on, I couldn't stop gawking at all the murals all over the city. OK, let's talk about Lake Tahoe. We went there in the early morning, which I highly recommend to beat the rush (and if you're jet lagged, it makes total sense). It was around 45 minutes to get there from the hotel, which flashed by. We went on a clear kayak tour with Clearly Tahoe, and I can't even begin to explain to you how STUNNING it was. By far my highlight of the trip. Truly, during the entire tour, I just kept gasping the entire time. The colour of the water is unbelievable, and being surrounded by the mountains is so unique. Seeing the bright water under my legs in the kayak was truly life changing. I swear, that two-hour kayak tour single-handedly melted all my stress away. Now I understand why so many celebs own houses on this lake. Other than the undeniably beautiful views, there's also a ton of deeper history behind Lake Tahoe that was fascinating to learn about on the tour. I'd tell you myself, but what happens in Lake Tahoe stays in Lake Tahoe. Here's my favourite fun fact from the tour that I've been sharing to everyone, like the Ravenclaw I am: Lake Tahoe is deeper than the height of the Empire State Building. Try and wrap your brain around THAT. We hit up a Banana Ball (AKA Savannah Bananas) game in the evening, because we were lucky enough that the Party Animals team was visiting. If you don't know what Banana Ball is, think of it as baseball, but a million times more entertaining and absurd. And in the spirit of honesty, I have to tell you, it was way more fun then any MLB game I've been to (sorry, Blue Jays). At the game, between innings and outs, they had the most hilarious audience interactions — like a "dad bod" relay race and an old couple make-out sesh (yes, I'm serious). Plus, there was music playing at all times, making it a huge dance party at the same time. Vibes were ON POINT. Now whenever I go to a regular baseball game I'll wonder, Why is nobody dressed as a giant frog or monkey, leaping around the field while the teams play? It just won't be the same. I gotta talk about the restaurants in Reno Tahoe for a sec, because I had some of the most unique meals of my life. Sage Leaf Tahoe had these incredible sage biscuits, and a chicken bowl I'll be dreaming of forever. Not to mention a wholesome brekkie at Great Full Gardens, and celebratory dinner at Mexican steakhouse Toro Bravo. So if you're wondering if we ate well in Reno, the answer is a thousand times YES. IMHO, Reno is definitely the place to go with friends. Our group of five girls was the perfect number, and it was soooo much fun to explore the activities with some new gal pals. There's no way to bond quite like exploring a new city — we genuinely had the greatest time all together. (If you're reading this, ladies, HI!! Your new Canadian pal misses ya!) And lastly, here's the one thing about Reno Tahoe that I TOTALLY didn't expect and truly knocked my socks off: the sheer volume of activities and events. This city is ALIVE and VIBING!!! We went to the Reno River Festival, for one, but there are countless events going on every single week — I'm talking food festivals, street parties, and world-renowned art shows. Like, just LOOK at this list! I'm a huge traveller and I've literally never seen anything like this before, so this was definitely the biggest shocker. It's worth going back to Reno for the events alone. You heard it here first: Reno Tahoe gets my gold-star stamp of approval. So what do you think? Are you adding Reno and Lake Tahoe to your bucket list? Will I maaaaaybe see you there on my next girls' trip? Tell me in the comments below! And if you're into travel, make sure to follow BuzzFeed Canada on TikTok and Instagram for more!
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
CANADA DAY 2025 IN PIERREFONDS-ROXBORO: THE EVENT OF THE YEAR!
PIERREFONDS-ROXBORO, QC, June 12, 2025 /CNW/ - The Borough of Pierrefonds-Roxboro is proud to unveil the official program for Canada Day 2025 — a festive and unmissable celebration that brings together thousands of residents of all ages every year. Whether you're with family or friends, young or young at heart, the July 1st festivities are designed to unite the entire community in a warm, joyful, and inclusive atmosphere. "Canada Day is always a cherished time in Pierrefonds-Roxboro, and this year, we're especially excited to welcome Simple Plan, an iconic hometown band that has conquered the global stage. Their presence promises an unforgettable show for our residents and highlights the scale of this year's celebration. I'm incredibly proud of their journey and success — especially since they're local boys!" — Dimitrios (Jim) Beis, Mayor of Pierrefonds-Roxboro JUNE 27 TO JULY 1: A FULL WEEK OF FUN FOR EVERYONE Colorful rides, a lively parade, delicious street food, high-energy music, and a spectacular fireworks show — everything you need for unforgettable memories! Amusement Park – June 27 to July 1Located on the grounds of Pierrefonds Comprehensive High and coupons available online and at on-site ticket booths. Ride Schedule: Friday, June 27: 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, June 28: 12 p.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday, June 29: 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday, June 30: 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday, July 1: 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. Canada Day Parade – July 1A festive and colorful event for all ages! Start: 10 a.m. from École de l'Altitude (5060 Sources Blvd.) End: Between 11:30 a.m. and 12 p.m. at Pierrefonds Comprehensive High School (13800 Pierrefonds Blvd.) JULY 1, EVENING: SIMPLE PLAN LIVE ON STAGE! As part of their highly anticipated world tour, Simple Plan will make a special stop in Pierrefonds-Roxboro — a true homecoming for the iconic West Island band that has inspired generations while staying true to their Canadian roots. Don't miss this once-in-a-lifetime chance to experience a "Summer Paradise" during a spectacular event! Main Stage – Free Admission 6:00 p.m.: Site opens 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.: Street food trucks (fees apply) 8:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.: Live concert by Simple Plan, Montreal's internationally renowned pop-rock legends 10:00 p.m. – 10:15 p.m.: Spectacular fireworks show 10:30 p.m.: Event closes A COMMUNITY CELEBRATION OF OUR CANADIAN PRIDEJoin us for the biggest party of the year in Pierrefonds-Roxboro! Enjoy music, entertainment, good vibes, and unforgettable moments as we come together to celebrate what unites us as Canadians. Be part of the magic and help make Canada Day 2025 a summer highlight! SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT NATIONAL HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS In a spirit of collaboration and complementarity, the boroughs of Pierrefonds-Roxboro and L'Île-Bizard–Sainte-Geneviève have entered into an agreement whereby each takes the lead in organizing one of the two major national celebrations. Pierrefonds-Roxboro is responsible for Canada Day festivities, while L'Île-Bizard–Sainte-Geneviève hosts the Saint-Jean-Baptiste celebrations. This partnership allows both boroughs to offer high-quality events to all residents, while proudly showcasing each holiday. Each borough warmly invites residents from the other to take part in the festivities — celebrating together in a spirit of unity and shared pride. Follow the communications issued by the borough's Administration on its website, Facebook page, it's Instagram page and newsletter, as well as on Ville de Montréal's digital billboards. SOURCE Ville de Montréal - Borough of Pierrefonds-Roxboro View original content to download multimedia: Error 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
Buzz Feed
6 hours ago
- Buzz Feed
Tom Holland Tells Eric Nam He Speaks Great English
Earlier this week, a popular TikTok account shared a compilation video of various K-pop idols responding to the common microaggression: 'Your English is good,' after people have mistakenly assumed that English isn't their first language. 'Yeah, I know, I'm Canadian,' one of the stars in the compilation responds, while another says: 'Is my English good? Well, I was born in Australia, so.''I would hope so, it's my first language!' a third retorts. The compilation has been seen more than four million times since it was posted just three days ago, and many of the viewers were shocked to find a seriously embarrassing clip of Tom Holland in the middle of it. During an interview, Tom had said to the reporter: 'You speak great English, my man. How did you learn English?' only for him to reply: 'I'm American!' 'Ohhhh,' Tom exclaims, as the reporter laughs: 'So, yeah, there you go… Surprise!' The cringeworthy moment in question happened way back in 2017, when Tom was in South Korea to promote his movie Spider-Man: Homecoming. While there, Tom and his co-star Jacob Batalon took part in a live V-Life broadcast with American-Korean journalist and K-pop singer Eric Nam. During the chat, Eric was speaking to Tom and Jacob in English while translating the conversation into Korean for viewers due to technical difficulties with subtitles. For reference, Eric was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, and moved to South Korea in 2011, which is when he started his music career. Despite the awkward exchange being reported on at the time, many people were shocked by Tom's surprise appearance in the TikTok compilation, with many of the post's thousands of comments referencing him. 'Not Tom Holland doing it tooo 😭😭😭' a comment with over 81k likes reads, while a similarly popular one adds: 'I just know Tom Holland went home and cried 😭''I did not expect that from Tom Holland😂😭' somebody else wrote, while another confessed: 'this is such a hard watch oh my gosh 😭''I just know that keeps tom holland up at night,' one more joked, while another echoed: 'that's gotta haunt the hell outta tom holland.'
