Couple Wins Lottery, Donates $75K To Local Charity

A local couple who beat cancer and then won the California lottery have donated $75,000 to the Palm Desert-based Desert Cancer Foundation.

Steve Christian, DCF Board Chairman said the gift will provide services for Coachella Valley cancer patients.

"We were floored by this gesture of kindness and generosity. It just goes to show you that you never know when a twist of fate will happen in your life. One day you might be facing a terminal illness and the next thing you know, you're healthy and winning the lottery," Christian said.

As cancer survivors themselves, the donors, who wish to remain anonymous, made the surprise gift to the Desert Cancer Foundation, according to Christian.

"In real terms, the gift of $75,000 will equate into more than $450,000 worth of services given the kind of leveraging we get for our funding. This gift that will keep on giving for many of our desert clients and we are all so grateful," he said.

Because the couple wishes to remain unnamed, it was not immediately clear when they won the lottery.

The Desert Cancer Foundation -- a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting residents in the Coachella Valley and surrounding communities who need financial assistance in obtaining screening, diagnosis and treatment for cancer -- was founded more than 10 years ago.

For more about the Desert Cancer Foundation information, visit: www.desertcancerfoundation.org.