Longtime Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek made a video announcement Wednesday announcing that he has been diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer.
Trebek posted a video message announcing the news to the Jeopardy! Youtube channel. He stated that he did not want to see “inaccurate reports” about his health and that he plans to fight for as long as he can, despite the low survival rate statistics of the disease.
He finished the video joking that “I have to host Jeopardy! for three more years!”
Read his full statement below:
Hi everyone, I have some news to share with all of you and it’s in keeping with my longtime policy of being open and transparent with our Jeopardy! fan base.
I also wanted to prevent you from reading or hearing some overblown or inaccurate reports regarding my health. So therefore, I wanted to be the one to pass along this information.
Now, just like 50,000 other people in the United States each year, this week I was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. 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.
Truth told, I have to! Because under the terms of my contract, I have to host Jeopardy! for three more years! So help me. Keep the faith and we’ll win. We’ll get it done. Thank you.
Fans were quick to offer messages of support and encouragement to Trebek across social media.
The Sajak family is deeply saddened to hear of Alex Trebek’s struggle with cancer. Our hearts go out to him and his family. But there is no one I know who is stronger and more determined, and I would never bet against him. We, and the entire country, are pulling for you, Alex.
— Pat Sajak (@patsajak) March 6, 2019
Sending all my love, thoughts and prayers to Alex Trebek.
You are my hero. ❤️❤️??pic.twitter.com/CcXhVtqUT8
— Ken Jeong (@kenjeong) March 6, 2019
In re: Alex Trebek: A dear friend of my wife's was diagnosed with the same illness in May of 2017. Same six-month prognosis. She attended our wedding a year later and we're seeing her again next month. Miracles do happen.
— Peter Sagal (@petersagal) March 6, 2019
alex trebek can have my pancreas. i'm not using this thing i don't even know what it does.
— elon tesla (@bobby) March 6, 2019
On the bright side, after seeing Alex Trebek sit through thousands of contestants’ boring anecdotes, I am convinced he can survive anything https://t.co/0pK4xE0AzV
— Chase Mitchell (@ChaseMit) March 6, 2019
Please direct any surplus positive energy you possess at this time to Alex Trebek. Thank you
— Patrick Monahan (@pattymo) March 6, 2019
F cancer. Our thoughts are with Sudbury, Ont., native Alex Trebek: https://t.co/LbudNjwp4a
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) March 6, 2019
What is you’re not going anywhere
— Mike Drucker (@MikeDrucker) March 6, 2019
I’ve said this before but Alex Trebek is in a way the last Cronkite: authoritative, reassuring TV voice you hear every night, almost to the point of ritual.
— Ken Jennings (@KenJennings) March 6, 2019
i don’t even believe in god but i will pray for alex trebek
— Brandy Jensen (@BrandyLJensen) March 6, 2019
I have to be clear about this, and I mean every word:
Alex Trebek is not allowed to die.
— Adam Jacobi (@Adam_Jacobi) March 6, 2019
A classy, optimistic statement from Alex Trebek with trademark dry humor and wit. Difficult to deliver, but he did it with signature aplomb, in light of receiving news that he has stage 4 cancer.
— Wajahat Ali (@WajahatAli) March 6, 2019
I love you Alex Trebek https://t.co/ZOQn16wyzC
— Natalie Walker (@nwalks) March 6, 2019
Alex Trebek has been a voice of gentle intelligence in my ear since I was a baby. I hope he will be for many more years.
— Jessica Ellis (@baddestmamajama) March 6, 2019
This is so inspiring to hear Alex Trebek be this positive facing that diagnosis. Also I got teary eyes watching it pic.twitter.com/LlTALZ65xl
— Huey Mack (@HueyMack) March 6, 2019
Thinking and praying for fellow game show host and absolute legend Alex Trebek as he starts his fight with pancreatic cancer. God’s speed my friend https://t.co/W0JJnlS6LY
— Chris Harrison (@chrisbharrison) March 6, 2019
God bless Alex Trebek. Prayers up. https://t.co/55QVRW49L3
— Joy Reid (@JoyAnnReid) March 6, 2019
i can't even express how sad i am at this news https://t.co/44udt6eids
— b-boy bouiebaisse (@jbouie) March 6, 2019
As the daughter of a man who is also battling stage 4 cancer with a low survival rate, know this, Mr. Trebek: you can beat the odds. You can overcome the obstacles. You can surpass all expectations. As a lifelong Jeopardy viewer, I wish you all the best.
— Katie Nelson (@katienelson210) March 6, 2019
fuhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh be well alex trebek. the best game show host on the smartest, best game show. watched jeopardy for decades w my mom. love jeopardy. beat this alex. https://t.co/X6z7UEMS1Y
— Oliver Willis (@owillis) March 6, 2019
h/t YouTube