Iconic game show host Alex Trebek announced on Wednesday that he has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Alex Trebek has been hosting Jeopardy since the shows inception in 1984. He was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, which as a 5-year survival rate of only 9%. According to the American Cancer Society, pancreatic cancer is one of the least common of cancers, making up mere just 3%, but is one of the deadliest, accounting for 7% of cancer deaths.Trebek, as optimistic as ever, announced on the show’s YouTube channel that he plans on continuing his work for as long as possible: “Now, normally, the prognosis for this is not very encouraging, but I’m going to fight this. And I’m going to keep working and with the love and support of my family and friends — and with the help of your prayers also — I plan to beat the low survival rate statistics for this disease.” Mike Hopkins, chairman of Sony Pictures Television, shared Trebek’s positivity, stating that, “If anyone can beat this it’s Alex. He has our full support as he tackles this challenge head-on.”
Trebek is also known for his quick-witted sense of humor. “Truth told, I have to [keep hosting] because under the terms of my contract, I have to host ‘Jeopardy’ for three more years,” he added playfully. “So help me. Keep the faith, and we’ll win. We’ll get it done.”
Many have shared their love and support for Trebek during his battle through social media.
He has won five Daytime Emmys for Outstanding Game Show Host as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award. Trabek also holds a Guinness World Record for Most Game Show Episodes Hosted by the Same Presenter. He has almost hosted a total of 8,000 episodes and received a Peabody Award in 2011 for “encouraging, celebrating and rewarding knowledge.”