When Alex Trebek announced in March that he had been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer, “Jeopardy!" fans rallied to support him.
Trebek vowed to stay on the job, even as he sought treatment — after all, he’s on contract for three more years, he mused at the time.
Now, Trebek, 78, is providing an update on his progress with cancer treatment.
The beloved game show host, who has worked on “Jeopardy!” since 1984, recorded a video during the last day of taping for the 35th anniversary season of the show.
“I wanted once again to thank you for your continuing messages of encouragement and support, particularly the many cards I’ve received from young people,” he said in the clip, which the show posted to its YouTube account on Wednesday. “I’m touched beyond words.”
“I’ve always tried to be straight with you and I’m not going to stop now,” Trebek continued. “So despite what you may have heard, I’m feeling good, I’m continuing with my therapy, and we, the staff, is already working on our next season, the 36th year of ‘Jeopardy.’ So I look forward to seeing you once again in September with all kinds of ... good stuff."
Trebek had heart attacks in 2007 and 2012. In 2015, he underwent knee surgery. In 2017, after he hit his head in a fall, Trebek had surgery for a subdural hematoma. He took a break from the show after the surgery before returning in January 2018.
The American Cancer Society estimates that about 56,770 people will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2019 and about 45,750 will die of the cancer.
Have a tip? Amy Kuperinsky may be reached at akuperinsky@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @AmyKup or on Facebook.
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