Gina Short, who was diagnosed with breast cancer six years ago, found out she'd won the grand prize in the first Ultimate Millions second-chance drawing when she visited the lottery's Charlotte regional office, lottery officials said.

She said that her win felt like a "second chance" and couldn't believe she'd actually won.

"If you would have told me, in a million years I still wouldn't have believed you," Short told lottery officials. "I would have said, 'No you've got the wrong girl,' because that's what I said to them when they told me I had cancer, 'No you've got the wrong girl.'"

Short was one of more than 1.2 million entries in the lottery.

Officials said Short chose the lump-sum payment, and after federal and state tax withholdings she collected $415, 500.

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In this file photo from October 2024, Atlanta Braves outfielder Jorge Soler and teammates react after losing to the San Diego Padres 5-4 in San Diego. The Braves and Soler, who now plays for the Los Angeles Angels, face a lawsuit by a fan injured at a 2021 World Series game at Truist Park in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason.Getz@ajc.com