In a heartfelt and personal video message, the Jeopardy! host described his one-year journey battling pancreatic cancer, which left him at times depressed and in tremendous pain. With his bodily functions failing, Trebek assumed the chemotherapy treatment would eventually kill him. Though he had his own doubts, his oncologist assured him they would be celebrating his second year anniversary of being cancer-free too; according to The Hollywood Reporter.
While thanking his wife, Jean Currivan Trebek, the 79-year-old host shared what kept him moving forward, “It would have been a betrayal of other cancer patients, who have looked to me as an inspiration; a cheerleader of sorts, of living and hope. And it would have been a betrayal of my faith in God and the millions of prayers said on my behalf.”
Trebek added, “If we take it one day at a time, with a positive attitude, anything is possible.”
At stage four, the survival rate for first-year pancreatic cancer patients is 18 percent. The survival rate drops to 7 percent for year-two patients.
Check out what celebrities and Jeopardy! fans had to say in response to the touching message on Twitter:
Broadway’s Frozen actress Patti Murain tweeted, “Alex Trebek is the Mr. Rogers of our time. What an incredible man. Watch this to be inspired, no matter what your personal situation is.”
Dr. Mehmet Oz stated, “Alex Trebek is one of the strongest people I know.”
Troy Riser added, “My mother passed away recently, having fought & survived breast cancer & lung cancer. I hope when my day comes I can look down the barrel of whatever kills me with the same quiet courage and grace.”
Cookieboy17 said, “The fact that Alex is still taping shows during this time, when he truly doesn’t have to, will mean more to millions of Jeopardy! fans and Alex Trebek fans than he’ll ever know.”
Molly 500 mentioned, “My husband out-lived the odds he was given by the living in the same mindful, one day at a time spirit. No doubt Alex Trebek has hit the Daily Double on this question.”
Mitch Cleaver was emotional as well, “I have no snarky comments or jokes about this. This legit made me cry.”
Ken Jennings, the Jeopardy! Greatest of All Time tournament’s champion, did not immediately respond to Newsweek’s request for comment.
