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Cancer Survivor's Forecast Brightened by Prize Patrol Visit

His visit included a ceremonial tour of the company's headquarters, a beautiful suite at the Plaza Hotel, dinner at Windows on the World, limousine rides, theater tickets and shopping with his daughters, Stevie and Cindy.

``My life couldn't be better,'' said Wilbur Ervin with the bright, cheerful tones you love to hear from a TV weatherman.

But it wasn't the idyllic climate or the haze-free view from New York's World Trade Center that had this retired meteorologist gushing. It was the euphoria that comes from a turnaround in his fortunes.

Six months ago, this dream weekend would have been unimaginable. Ervin was living a comfortable retirement but a car accident totaled his classic canary-yellow convertible, sending him to the hospital.

``It is strange to say that an accident was the best thing that ever happened,'' Ervin recalled. ``While doctors examined my injuries, routine testing indicated a dark spot on my lung that could have gone undetected.'' Wilbur was diagnosed with lung cancer.

Reeling from that report, Ervin returned home, and a few days later settled down to watch the Super Bowl. Mid-game, the reality that millions of Americans dream about materialized. Persistent knocking and bright lights brought Ervin to his front door as he became national news. The Prize Patrol arrived to present him with a check for $10 million. He was featured on NBC's Today Show, CNN and Entertainment Tonight.

As part of his winnings, a trip to New York had to wait while a biopsy was performed. By late spring, recovery was complete with an excellent prognosis.

``I have met many people over the past twenty years surprising them with their winning checks,'' said Dave Sayer, head of the PCH Prize Patrol. ``Wilbur Ervin is one of the everyday people that I have met that makes this job so rewarding.''

``The accident, and the resulting tests proved to be a true blessing to me,'' said Ervin. ``Early detection is the key to beating cancer. My wife died of cancer seven years ago.''

For more information on Wilbur Ervin, log on to the Prize Patrol's home on the Internet, www.pch.com On August 23rd, the Prize Patrol will surprise another lucky winner with a check for one million dollars.

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