The wonderful, Alex Trebek, 79, gave an inspiring update one year after he shocked the world with news that he was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer.
The ‘Jeopardy’ host presented a video update Wednesday by saying he’s “very happy” to share that he’s reached the one-year mark, acknowledging the one-year survival rate of pancreatic cancer patients is 18%.
The game show host described that achieving this milestone involved a combination of “good” and “bad” days.
NBC News Reports:
“I’d joke with friends, ‘the cancer won’t kill me; the chemo treatments will,'” Trebek said. “There were moments of great pain, days where certain bodily functions no longer functioned and sudden, massive attacks of great depression made me wonder if it was really worth fighting on.”
Yet, Trebek said, he was inspired to forge ahead because of his family, fans and faith.
Though the two-year survival rate of stage 4 pancreatic cancer is 7 percent, he said he and his oncologist are confident that they will be sitting together in the doctor’s office this time next year celebrating another anniversary.
“If we take it just one day at a time with a positive attitude, anything is possible,” Trebek said.
Since revealing his diagnosis, Trebek has worked to bring greater awareness to pancreatic cancer. In October, he released a 60-second public service announcement in support of the World Pancreatic Cancer Coalition, in which he detailed the risks and the symptoms of the disease.
In the PSA, he said symptoms can include new onset diabetes, unexplained weight loss, the yellowing of the skin or eyes and midback pain.
“I wished I had known sooner that the persistent stomach pain I experienced prior to my diagnosis was a symptom of pancreatic cancer,” he said.
Trebek, who has been the host of “Jeopardy!” since 1984, said he plans to continue working as long as he is able to do so. He has also recently become known for his work aiding Los Angeles’ homeless community through a $100,000 donation to the Hope of the Valley Rescue Mission, a nonprofit organization that aims to eliminate poverty and homelessness in the city.
Here is the video below:
We Love You Alex!!!! Continue to fight this battle!
And now you’re officially in the KNOW!
