A Sterling Heights woman returned home from walking her dog to a life-changing surprise – a $25,000 a year for life Lucky For Life prize!

Helen Davlantes, 58, won the big prize when her Lucky For Life ticket matched the five white balls drawn on May 16: 12-19-34-39-45. She bought her winning ticket at the Shell gas station, located at 11541 East 15 Mile Road in Sterling Heights.

“My husband and I typically play other Lottery games, but every once in a while, we will buy a Lucky for Life ticket,” said Davlantes. “I got home from walking our dog and my husband held up our ticket and said: ‘I think we just won big!’ I looked at the ticket and the winning numbers, and my whole body started tingling. It was such a mix of emotions from excitement to utter disbelief!

“I called the Lottery the next day, and it wasn’t until the Lottery employee came back on the line and congratulated me on winning $25,000 a year for life that it started to really sink in.”

Davlantes visited Lottery headquarters recently to claim her prize. She chose to receive her winnings as annuity payments of $25,000 a year for 20 years or life, whichever is greater, rather a one-time lump sum payment of $390,000. She plans to save her winnings for retirement.

Lucky For Life has been exceptionally lucky for Lottery players this year. Players have won a lifetime of cash nine times so far in 2024 playing Lucky For Life. The big wins came on:

• Feb. 20, with a ticket bought at Borders Corner Store, located at 7024 East Pickard Road in Mount Pleasant. This prize was recently claimed by a Flushing woman.
• March 12, with a ticket bought online at This prize was recently claimed by an Escanaba woman.
• March 23, with a ticket bought at the Value Center Market, located at 27428 6 Mile Road in Livonia. This prize was recently claimed by a Redford Township woman.
• March 25, with a ticket bought online at This prize was recently claimed by a Flushing man.
• March 26, with a ticket bought at Merriman Drugs, located at 31320 5 Mile Road in Livonia.
• April 17, with a ticket bought online at This prize was recently claimed by a Detroit woman.
• April 19, with a ticket bought at the Hub Sports Bistro, located at 16780 21 Mile Road in Macomb Township. This prize was recently claimed by a Macomb man.
• April 29, with a ticket bought at Morning Fresh Bakery, located at 3223 North Adrian Highway in Adrian.
• May 16, with a ticket bought at the Shell gas station, located at 11541 East 15 Mile Road in Sterling Heights.

For just $2 per play, Lucky For Life gives Lottery players a chance to win prizes ranging from $3 to a lifetime of cash. To win the game’s top prize of $1,000 a day for life, players must match all five winning numbers ranging from 1 to 48, plus one Lucky Ball ranging from 1 to 18. Players who match all five winning numbers, but not the Lucky Ball, will win $25,000 a year for life. Drawings take place at 10:38 p.m. seven days-a-week. Tickets may be purchased at Lottery retailers across the state and online at Michiganmilotteryconnect.casinowinning.net.