Lucy and Alex
- Trebek is fighting stage 4 cancer and reflecting on his successful career.
- A chance encounter with comedy legend Lucille Ball led to his hosting role on Jeopardy!.
- Trebek’s brave battle against cancer is inspiring for all who are watching him.
Sometimes, friends come from unexpected, legendary sources, like, oh, say…Ms. Ball. The late legend and revolutionizing queen of comedy helped Trebek get his start.
Read MoreIn an industry that's known for tossing people out as they age, Trebek has bested the system and built an incredible career as a result of his tenacity.
Lucy Loves Alex
In a life-changing conversation, I Love Lucy star Lucille Ball spoke with Trebek while she appeared on a game show he was hosting in the 1970s called High Rollers. Impressed with Trebek and his hosting skills, she later encouraged her friend how was also a TV host Merv Griffin, to hire him for Jeopardy!
In a brief clip from CBS News in 2012, you can see a black and white photo of that fated moment, when Trebek and Balle came face to face on the show. And the rest, as they say, is history.
Trebek Tackles Cancer
Trebek was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer in February 2019 the same cancer which led to the death of Patrick Swayze at age 57 but he is fighting valiantly. Alongside other notable figures, like Senator Harry Reid, Trebek has come out swinging.
He's even back on TV! You just can not keep this man down, and his return to TV and his constant presence in the public eye is giving hope to so many who are battling cancer. And for that, we are thankful. COVID-19-safe precautions were taken by the show as Jeopardy! got up and running again, with Trebek at the helm.
Not an Easy Road
The game show host will be the first to admit that his cancer journey has not been an "easy" one. But with his persistence and determination, he's continued down the path of fighting cancer, while also maintaining his professional passion of being host on Jeopardy! For as long as he's been on-air and for as much money as he's undoubtedly made doing it, Trebek is back on TV because he loves being there and he wants to show up, and that's such an inspiring move.
Given the long road of his career, and the unforeseen heights it took him thanks to chance encounters like those with Lucille Ball it's clear Trebek has determination in spades. And determination has come in handy during his fight against cancer.
How Pancreatic Cancer Differs From Other Cancers
Pancreatic cancer is notoriously difficult to treat. That said, in the instance that the cancerous tumor is still small and localized, it can effectively be operated on. However, pancreatic cancers tend to be aggressive, so early screening and diagnosis are particularly important.
Detecting Pancreatic Cancer Early Is Crucial
Pancreatic cancer can be tough to treat because of stroma, which is the barrier around the cancer cells, and may prevent chemotherapy from effectively fighting the cancer.
Despite the difficulty in treating this cancer, survivor stories like Trebek's give us joy and hope, knowing that this disease can be fought.
Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.
