Tammie Murphy was just doing her job at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis week before last. She has worked there for nine years as a donations clerk for the world-famous Tennessee hospital that specializes in cancer research.

Toward the end of Thursday’s work day, she opened a plain white envelope addressed in blue ink. There was no name, no return address, and no note. Postmarked from Dallas, it contained a game piece for McDonald’s recently begun Monopoly promotion.

“The words ‘instant winner’ really caught my eye,” said Ms. Murphy. And the prize was not fries, a soda, or even a Big Mac. It was $1 million! On Tuesday of last week, a representative of the Arthur Andersen accounting firm authenticated it as one of the three $1 million instant prizes available in McDonald’s national game.

Although the rules of the game clearly say that all prizes are nontransferable, the president of McDonalds has announced the company’s decision to make a $1 million donation to the hospital in 20 annual checks of $50,000 each. The anonymous donor’s wish has been granted.

Rubel Shelly The FAX of Life