Canadian game show host Alex Trebek has announced he’s been diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer.
In a recorded message from the set of Jeopardy, the popular trivia game show Trebek has hosted since 1984, he announced the news.
A Message from Alex Trebek: pic.twitter.com/LbxcIyeTCF
— Jeopardy! (@Jeopardy) March 6, 2019
Trebek, 78, added that the disease has low survival rates, but he intends to fight it. Jokingly, he mentions that his contract as host of the show doesn’t end for three more years.
"Normally the prognosis for [pancreatic cancer] is not very encouraging," the star says in the clip, posted on the Jeopardy Twitter account. "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."
The game show Jeopardy was created in 1964 by media personality Merv Griffin, and was hosted by Art Fleming until 1979. The show's popularity hit its stride with Trebek, and became a permanent fixture of daytime television.
Well-wishers sent messages to Trebek on social media, such as television and film actor Laurence Tureaud, known as Mr T, who posted this to the game show host:
God Bless you Alex Trebek and anyone else who is Fighting Cancer. “Don’t just keep the Faith.. Share the Faith!” Proverbs 3:5&6...
— Mr. T (@MrT) March 7, 2019
O'Shea Jackson Jr, actor and son of rapper Ice Cube, also posted a supportive message.
Prayers for Alex Trebek. FIGHT ON!! https://t.co/IFGITpfZFa
— O’Shea Jack(Nichol)son (@OsheaJacksonJr) March 7, 2019
Others shared their favourite moments from Trebek's career as Jeopardy host.
Keep fighting #AlexTrebek pic.twitter.com/gETpk2ISDk
— L.A. Broadus 🎙 (@LA_Broadus) March 7, 2019
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