“Jeopardy!” contestant Dhruv Gaur didn’t technically win Monday night’s Tournament of Champions game, but he pretty much won the night.
In the game’s final round, Gaur, who didn’t know the answer, instead wrote on his screen, “We [heart] you Alex!” — which caused host Alex Trebek, who’s battling stage 4 pancreatic cancer, to well up with tears.
Read MoreAlex Trebek getting choked up at a heartfelt final jeopardy answer. The instant welling up of tears and emotion no viewer expected to have tonight. ???? what a moment. #weloveyoualex pic.twitter.com/DVcMGKl8wj
Kelli Kubicek (@Kelli96) November 12, 2019
As social media filled with comments about the loving message, many echoing the sentiment, it was clear that fans were deeply moved by the tribute to the beloved game-show host.
We really do. #WeLoveYouAlex pic.twitter.com/yWbwbDLRHN
Harrison Golden (@harrisongolden) November 12, 2019
Dhruv responded to Final Jeopardy with "we â¤ï¸ you Alex" and Alex was overcome with emotion and then I disintegrated and no longer exist#weloveyouAlex
Kara (@karafreeman) November 12, 2019
But the best tweet had to go to this fan, whose son dressed up as Trebek for Halloween:
Dhruv nailed it. We do love you Alex. My son has been fascinated by @Jeopardy since he could sit up. So what else would he dress up as for Halloween? #WeLoveYouAlex pic.twitter.com/7F5DJn6lwL
Skrillex P. Keaton (@SkrillexPKeaton) November 12, 2019
Gaur, a Brown University college student majoring in economics and public health, according to USA Today, then went on Twitter to respond to the flood of emotions he had unleashed:
I'm just very grateful I got the opportunity to say what I know everyone was thinking. Sending all the love. #weloveyoualex
Dhruv Gaur (@dhruvg_) November 12, 2019
Alex Trebek Gives Tribute of His Own
The host recently took time at the start of the show's Tournament of Champions to honor Larry Martin, who won the tournament in 2018 and who passed away this year from the same disease.
"Larry was not only a good player, but he was really, really popular with our fans here in the studio, with fans nationwide and with all of his fellow competitors," the 79-year-old Trebek said on the show. "He will be severely missed."
The host and the show's contestants also donned purple ribbons in Martin's honor. Tournament of Champions contestants have been wearing the purple ribbons throughout the competition, which ends Nov. 15.
The tribute comes just a few days after Trebek released a public service announcement to spread awareness about the disease for World Pancreatic Cancer Month.
The Host’s Cancer Journey
Unfortunately, pancreatic cancer is often diagnosed in later stages, when it's difficult to treat. Stage 4 pancreatic cancer has only a 3% five-year survival rate, and most patients diagnosed with the disease will pass away within 3-6 months. Trebek announced his diagnosis in March, meaning he's defying the odds. He initially responded quite well to treatment, but in September Trebek announced a reversal of his initial positive results.
With the latest results, his doctors decided that more chemotherapy was needed. In a recent interview with SurvivorNet, Dr. Dana Simeone, Director of the Pancreatic Cancer Center at NYU Langone's Perlmutter Cancer Center, said that the dramatic change in treatment response Trebek experienced is not uncommon for people with pancreatic cancer.
"Recurrence following what was considered successful treatment is, unfortunately, all too common," Dr. Simeone said.
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