TACOMA – Donald Pierce of Tacoma is a working single parent and commutes to Seattle every day to work at Seattle's Veteran Affairs Hospital where he takes care of our nation's war veterans. A nurse by profession, Donald is passionate about what he does and has been taking care of veterans for more than 32 years. The caregiver is in shock and is frequently emotional after winning $2.7 million playing Washington’s Lottery.

Donald checked his ticket at the Fred Meyer in Tacoma and saw the check a ticket machine read, 'Jackpot.' Thinking it was probably a $1,000 winner, he handed it to the customer service representative--who told him he won Lotto. Standing in a customer service line surrounded but other customers, he broke down in tears of joy and disbelief. "I felt every emotion you could feel!" recalled Donald through tears the next morning at the Lottery office. He went on to say that he just couldn't believe it and had to check several times to make sure. "It was fantastic!" he said. Donald's son Brandon was with him at the time and said people around them were cheering and congratulating them.

Donald plans on paying bills with the winnings and setting up a fund for his son to go to college. "My son will now be able to go to a college that has programs available for him," explained Donald. When asked what other dreams are now a reality he said, "I'd like to take my kid to Disneyland."

Will he retire? No. Donald says he'll continue to work because he enjoys what he does and who he cares for. "The oldest patient I've taken care of was 108," said Donald with tears of emotion in his eyes. "I would take my lunch breaks and go talk with him to hear all the stories."

Donald said he plans on fixing up his old car and donating it to a local women's shelter. Donald Pierce won $2.7 million playing Lotto and bought the winning ticket at Fred Meyer in Tacoma on 19th Street.