83-year-old Ontario organ donor who saved sister’s life wins $60M lottery prize

An 83-year-old woman and organ donor from eastern Ontario is the province’s newest multi-millionaire after she took home $60 million through the Lotto Max jackpot.

The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) announced Vera Page as its winner from the Nov. 1 draw. Page resides in Vankleek Hill, Ont., a town with a population of just under 2,000 people.

The eastern Ontario resident tells OLG she took a ride on her scooter to Foodland and bought a few lottery tickets. What came next was unexpected, to say the least.

“I checked the first few numbers. I said to myself, ‘OK,” and then the last number. They were all there. So, I decided to call my son,” Page said. “I said, if you don’t believe me, come up and see [for yourself].”

The 83-year-old said her son started screaming excitedly, which she took as a good sign.

“I guess I won,” Page said. “I phoned my sister, too. She didn’t believe me.”

Page revealed that in 1983, her sister needed a kidney transplant in a life-or-death situation. She told her sibling that if she proved to be a match, she’d be her donor.

“I knew if I didn’t do it, she’d die. I gave her the kidney.”

Ontario lottery winner Vera Page. Photo: OLG.

As for what she plans on doing with the winnings, Page said she would share it with family members and donate some to charity.

“I want to build myself a house. My son will be on one side, and I will be on the other,” Page continued. “I’d like to take a few cruises, a few trips, and I’d like to go south for the winter.”

“This is a big change for me,” Page said.

“Keep buying Lotto Max. I never thought I’d win. I’ve been buying them for a long time, and I am not going to stop now.”