Despite winning the lottery two years ago, Nicky Cusack can still be found down the aisles of the store where she works — and still buys a ticket every week.
Hard-working Nicky Cusack, 46, was battling breast cancer when she won a £2.49 million (US$3.9 million) UK Lotto jackpot in 2009 and says the thought of returning to work kept her going through her darkest days.
After finishing chemotherapy and radiotherapy she returned to her job at Asda in Swindon., Wilts., where she earns just above minimum wage at £6.30 an hour.
Asda is a British supermarket chain owned by American retail giant Walmart.
Nicky still buys a Lottery ticket every week from the store, where she has worked for ten years.
She said, "I didn't even know if I would see the next day or not, I wanted to stay normal. It is just about being who you want to be.
"Not many firms would have kept a job open like ASDA did. It is not until you have gone back and you're working that you actually find out who your real friends are.
"Some people say 'why is she back? There is no need for her to work'. No there isn't, but it is the company and your friends, that is what makes a working environment.
"Every job gets to you after a while but I enjoy my job. That's sad maybe but I just get on and do it.
"I am quite happy going to work and coming home. Going to do bits and bobs, but at the end of the day your health is important."
Single Nicky scooped her win during a disastrous year in 2009 which got off to a terrible start when she was savaged by a pack of six dogs in January.
She had only just recovered from the attack when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in April.
Nicky had two operations to remove the cancerous growth and underwent preemptive chemotherapy and radiotherapy to ensure the tumour did not return.
Speaking of her cancer battle, she said, "There were some very dark moments when I didn't even think I would see tomorrow.
"Just to lie there day after day all I wanted was to be healthy. Asda were really kind to keep my job open."
She returned to work later that year in the music and DVDs department at Asda and has worked 24 hours a week ever since.
Nicky has been careful with her winnings — her biggest expense was her £250,000 four-bedroom home in North Swindon that she bought three months after her win.
She has four children; Kelly, 23, Jade, 18, and Mark, 16, and son Adam, 22 — a soldier with the Royal Logistics Corps who returned from a six month tour of Iraq last year.
But Nicky still plays the lottery every week and says she still crosses her fingers.
She said, "I still think about the moment I won because you think will it happen again?
"I still play. If you don't play you're not in it to win it. I am not short from being a millionaire now, but you spend money to make your life more comfortable.
"I haven't wasted it, I have invested it. I have bought a mobile home in Weymouth and spent money on this house."
Nicky has also donated money to charities with £3,000 in total to Macmillan Cancer Support, Prospect Hospice, Asda's Tickled Pink campaign, Help for Heroes and Meningitis Trust.
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Thanks to Starr920 for the tip.
Being disabled, I can tell you the thing that I miss the most is having a schedule & daily routine. It makes for a very long day when you can't do normal activities.
Just waiting for my big win as the 1st big winner from PA in Mega Millions!
I used to aspire to getting wealthy one way or another, and living a lazy lifestyle, especially when I hit the jackpot. However, I'm starting to believe that a part-time job at the very least will be much better than not working at all, simply because it helps you blend in better after claiming the money anonymously, and when you're working, you're earning money two ways: the paycheck that you're bringing in and also because you'll be too busy to spend money, so in turn it's like you're saving money in a sense. But that's just my opinion, and who knows how my thought process will change when I hit all 6 numbers on one of those jackpot games. Lol, hopefully I have enough sense to invest in low-risk ventures, and keep my poker playing to a minimum. Good luck on tomorrow's Mega Millions drawing everybody! Can't wait to hear from an LP'er whom won it all!
After years of working more than 40 hours a week you can't just stop cold turkey. Its true, I'd quit my two part time jobs but I wouldn't just stay home and watch movies all day long; you can travel only so much, right? Luckily most towns and cities have a desperate need for volunteers and that to me would be the best thing to do. Volunteer at the local soup kitchen or school or hospital or parks and recreational facilities, or library.
Congratulations to Ms. Cusack.
Of all her trials and tribulations, I admire her inner strength the most.!
Hopefully she has beaten this cancer. I wish her much Luck in the future. It seems as though she has a very level head on her shoulders, and she's doing the right thing by investing in her as well as her childrens future....
Now this article is Real Talk! Beautiful story!
I would never tell the world the names & ages of my children.Thats just asking for trouble.
Beautiful words Maddog, I agree.
Nice lady.
Nice story.
God bless her.
That's TERRIFIC !!
Congratulations & many blessings for continued good health...
That women has more then lady luck on her side. I am so pleased to see a story about a genuine person with a real life resilience to go thru these medical treatments and survive. She has beaten the odds.
Funny how so few of us post on this article, Sure hope those who previously mocked a winner for keeping a job, rethinks things. This person is living proof that we all need people and a purpose in life to contribute and be a part of something.
That choice helped her. :) May she heal and win again! :)
Yeah I'd hold a part time job if/when I won the jackpot as well because, 1. being a young person not having a job but having a ton of money would bring attenton to myself and of course 2. it help me save money in a sense since i'd be too busy to spend the money. Congratulations to the women on both winning AND surviving cancer.
I just want to fire my boss when I hit the jack pot.