RALEIGH – Deborah Duncan of Charlotte says the $429,101 prize she won playing Carolina Cash 5 will go a long way to shore up her retirement fund. She matched all five numbers in the Jan. 8 drawing to win the jackpot.

“This is life-changing for me and a dream come true,” Duncan said. “I’m also going to do more traveling and help out a couple of family members.”

Duncan, who works as a commercial construction salesperson, purchased the lucky ticket at the Quik Trip on Sunset Road in Charlotte. She was at work last Friday morning when she learned of her big win.

“These numbers have always been lucky for me,” Duncan said. “I was so shocked to see them come up on the lottery’s website. I had to put my hand over my mouth to keep from screaming. I know my heart skipped a beat.”

After state and federal taxes were withheld, Duncan received a check for $297,152.

Carolina Cash 5 drawings are held nightly at 11:22 p.m. Tickets cost $1 each and jackpots start at $50,000. The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 575,757.

Ticket sales made it possible for the lottery to raise more than half a billion for the state last year. For details on how more than $297.1 million in lottery funds have made a difference for specific education programs in Mecklenburg County, click on the “Where the Money Goes” tab on the lottery’s website.