(CNN) A Massachusetts man recovering from open-heart surgery won a $1 million lottery prize on a scratch-off ticket given to him by a friend, according to lottery officials.
Alexander McLeish received three scratch-off tickets in a get-well card from a friend earlier this month, according to a news release from the Massachusetts State Lottery Commission.
As McLeish scratched off the first three letters on the crossword lottery ticket, his first glimpse of good luck was revealing his initials: A, W and M. As he continued matching letters to words on the lottery ticket, for a game called $5,000,000 100X Cashword, he revealed the word "heart" on the bottom row of the puzzle.
The man wound up winning the second top prize for the game -- $1 million . There are only 10 total prize winners for that amount on the $20 lottery ticket. The top prize is $5 million.
The first sign of good luck on the prize-winning ticket were McLeish's initials as the first three letters.
This wasn't the first time McLeish won on a ticket given to him by his friend. Several years ago, he won $1,000 on a lottery ticket his friend gave him for his birthday, according to lottery officials.
Dancanadaboi on December 1st, 2021 at 14:36 UTC »
Son just had his 2nd heart surgery at 5 months old. Surgery was successfull and we bring him home today. No bills except $15 a night at Ronald McDonald house Toronto.
Feel like I won the lottery.
walrus_operator on December 1st, 2021 at 13:41 UTC »
Great for him, he'll be able to pay half his medical bill!
IcarusX12 on December 1st, 2021 at 13:28 UTC »
Did he require another heart surgery after finding out he had won?