Alex Trebekis drawing hope from pancreatic cancer survivors as he continues to battle the disease.
On Saturday, the longtimeJeopardy!host was the keynote speaker at thePancreatic Cancer Action Network walkat the Los Angeles Zoo, where he helped raise money to fund pancreatic cancer research and told attendees that despite the grave disease, “there is hope.”
He then revealed to attendees that he is 62 days into his own cancer journey, but he hopes to make it to 22 years, just like Angie.
“As you all know, survivorship is measured starting from the date you are diagnosed with cancer and on that scale, my gosh, I’m a 62-day survivor. Give me a break,” Trebek said. “But I’m working on it. And I promise you this: That if I become a 22-year survivor, you will all be welcomed at my 100th birthday.”
Trebek then invited all cancer survivors to the stage “to demonstrate to the world through the media covering this event that there is hope — that we can beat it.”
He continued: “I’m also welcoming them to stand here in front of the purple Stride sign to show that our hearts are in this in terms of finding a way to beat cancer.”
The veteran game show host also made reference to famedJeopardy!contestant James Holzhauer, whosnagged his 21st winon Thursday’s show and brought his earnings to $1,608,627.
“If I can get in a plug for my show, all of you guys here have done whatJeopardy!James [Holzhauer] has done on our television show and that is, in terms of fundraising, you have exceeded expectations,” he said.
Trebek initially revealed the news of his cancer diagnosis in a video message on March 6.
“Hi everyone, I have some news to share with all of you. And it’s in keeping with my longtime policy of beingopen and transparent with ourJeopardy!fan base,”he began. “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.”
Alex Trebek.Kris Connor/Getty
Trebek, who has now hostedJeopardy!for 35 years, vowed to courageously “fight” the disease. He also asked show fans to lift up prayers on his behalf.
“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,” he said.
“People all over America have been sharing their good thoughts, their advice, their prayers. And I feel it is making a difference in my well-being,” said Trebekin his first live interviewsince revealing the news of his cancer diagnosis.
Trebek went on to express his gratitude over being “considered an inspiration to other people,” and added that he felt the same sentiment for individuals who have battled the disease before him.
“I’vehad so many contacts from peoplewho have survived cancer for 10 years, 12 years, 14 years,” he said. “I am now a 30-day survivor…I’m going to catch up to those other people.”
“But they have been an inspiration to me, and that’s really what it’s all about,” Trebek added. “It’s drawing attention tothis particular type of devastating cancer, making people aware of it, telling them that they should take certain precautions beforehand to find out because we never discover pancreatic cancer until it’s too late, unfortunately.”
As for his own situation, Trebek candidly told Roberts, 58, that his oncologist said he is “doing well” despite not always feeling well.
“I’ve had kidney stones, I’ve had ruptured discs, so I’m used to dealing with pain, but what I’m not used to dealing with is the surges that come on suddenly of deep, deep sadness,and it brings tears to my eyes,” he admitted.
“I’ve discovered in this whole episode, ladies and gentlemen, that I’m a bit of a wuss,” Trebek joked. “But I’m fighting through it. My platelets, my blood counts are steady, my weight is steady … the cancer indicators – those are coming down. I’ve got another chemo next week and then we’ll do a review to find out where things stand.”
source: people.com
