RALEIGH – John and Kathy Walker, residents of Martinsville, Va., plan to pay medical bills with the $106,397 prize they won in the July 21 Carolina Cash 5 drawing.

While traveling in North Carolina, John Walker purchased his ticket at the J Mart of Eden on Virginia Street in Eden in Rockingham County. The couple learned of their win later in the week when they logged onto the lottery’s website.

“I looked at the numbers two or three times,” John Walker said. “It felt great.”

After state and federal taxes were withheld, the Walkers received a check for $72,350.

“I have lots of doctor bills,” Kathy Walker said. “This money comes at a great time. Hopefully we can save some for the future, as well.”

The N.C. Education Lottery funds pay for teachers’ salaries in grades K-3, school construction, prekindergarten programs for at-risk four-year-olds, and need-based college scholarships and financial aid.

To date, the N.C. Education Lottery has raised more than $2.45 billion for these initiatives statewide.