Mesothelioma Patient Gambles on Life, Wins Again

A mesothelioma patient who bet bookmakers he would outlive his doctor’s predictions collected his second round of winnings June 1, 2009. Jon Matthews received more than $8,000 yesterday, bringing his total winnings to more than $16,000 so far.

The 59-year-old Buckinghamshire, England resident was diagnosed with mesothelioma in April 2006 and even after undergoing a series of treatments including lung surgery, doctors told him not to make any plans for Christmas of that year.

The negative prognosis inspired Matthews to make a bet that he could live longer than the doctors thought. He placed a 50-1 accumulator bet with bookmakers William Hill and collected his first winnings in June 2008.

“I gave myself an incentive by placing a bet on how long I would outwit modern medicine. William Hill staff checked all the facts out before giving me odds,” Matthews stated. He stands to collect an additional $16,500 in June 2010 after placing a final bet at 100-1.

“In a way it’s a shame the bet is only valid for three years - because the way I feel right now I’m indestructible,” said Matthews. “These wins are a huge incentive to stay alive.”

A portion of the winnings will be donated to Macmillian Cancer Support, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of people with cancer.

“I know I’m going to die eventually and I have no real need for money, so it will mostly go to worthy causes,” he said. The rest of the money, however, will be spent having fun.

“Just because I’m dying, it doesn’t mean I can’t have fun,” explained Matthews. “I smoke 30 cigarettes a day, enjoy a pint and like the occasional flutter (small bet), especially when I’m winning,” he said. Matthews is also a theme park enthusiast who enjoys the thrill of a fast rollercoaster.

Matthews attributes his survival to an Indian doctor of homeopathy, stating herbal medicines have “not only changed, but prolonged my life.”

Graham Sharp, spokesman for William Hill said that although Matthews’ best request was very unusual, the bookmakers accepted when Matthews insisted it would give him an incentive to live.

“Never in 30 years in this business have I been so pleased to pay a winning client,” Sharp said.

Additional information about mesothelioma may be found through the Mesothelioma Cancer Center.