Supporters of beloved “Jeopardy!” host Alex Trebek have been hungry for news as his treatment continues for stage 4 pancreatic cancer. Now, there’s some great news — along with his lovely wife, Jean Trebek, he’ll be featured in an ABC “20/20” prime-time special on Jan. 2.
The program is a testament not only to the groundswell of support he’s been shown, but the reason for that support. Trebek has shown great grace and optimism in the face of a difficult challenge, and this, in turn, has had a huge effect on awareness for the disease. This “Trebek effect” could well save lives.
Read MoreAnd this is not the only prime-time special the host will be part of!
Trebek’s “Other” Big Prime-Time Special
"Jeopardy!" fans are also marking their calendars for "Jeopardy! The Greatest of All-Time." The prime-time event, which starts Jan. 7, reunites the show's three legendary winners, Ken Jenning, James Hozhauer, and Brad Rutter, as they compete for a share of $1.5 million. The first contestant to win three matches will receive $1 million. Each runner-up will take home $250,000. Rutter is the top all-time money winner with $4.7 million, followed by Jennings with $3.4 million and Holzhauer with $2.7 million.
"Based on their previous performances, these three are already the 'greatest,' but you can't help wondering: who is the best of the best?" Trebek said in the official release.
Trebek’s Cancer Journey
Trebek announced in March that he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer which is an incredibly difficult disease to treat. What's more, the host was diagnosed at stage 4. However, he's kept an optimistic attitude throughout his months-long cancer journey. He was initially treated with chemotherapy and had responded quite well announcing in May that some of his tumors had shrunk a significant amount, and the results were "mind-boggling." But in September, Trebek announced a reversal of those initial positive results.
In an interview with Good Morning America, Trebek said that he would need another round of chemotherapy after recent tests revealed "sky-high" numbers, and he experienced really rapid weight loss. Trebek responded so well to his first round of chemotherapy that his doctors took him off his regiment, hoping to start immunotherapy shortly thereafter so Trebek's own immune system could be rallied to begin killing off cancer cells. However, Trebek revealed that immunotherapy didn't do anything for his disease.
The Show Goes on
Not only is Trebek continuing to host the show, he recently appeared in a commercial for an app called Drivetime it has voice-driven games, including "Jeopardy!," to play while driving that features the voice of the indomitable star. And in a new post on the official "Jeopardy!" Instagram page, followers got a behind-the-scenes look at Trebek's famously positive attitude as he cracks jokes with the commercial's other actors.
About the Trebek Effect
Trebek has even done a PSA, and the Pancreatic Cancer Coalition told SurvivorNet that his “decision to become involved in the World Pancreatic Cancer Day global initiative is having a big impact on heightening awareness of the risks and symptoms of this terrible disease."
Should you want to see the star up and close and personal, be sure to tune in to the “20/20” special.
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