In a truly heartbreaking moment from Thursday night’s episode of “Jeopardy!,” host Alex Trebek issued a warning about how “terrible” pancreatic cancer is. The episode was pre-recorded just a few weeks before the disease killed Trebek earlier this month.

During Thursday’s show, the 80 year-old host paused to acknowledge that it was World Pancreatic Cancer Day.

“Before we get into today’s match, a word about today,” Trebek said. “Today is World Pancreatic Cancer Day and if you or anyone you know has developed some of the symptoms that I have talked about in the past then by all means, get to a doctor, get yourself tested. I want you to be safe. This is a terrible, terrible disease.”

The official “Jeopardy!” Twitter page also shared a message about World Pancreatic Cancer Day.

“Today is #WorldPancreaticCancerDay. Wear purple in honor of Alex, and help raise awareness for the risks and symptoms of pancreatic cancer,” read the post, which also included a photo of Trebek and his wife, Jean, both dressed in purple and white.

Trebek continued working right up until the end, recording his final episodes of “Jeopardy!” just over a week before he died on November 8. Afterwards, “Jeopardy!” executive producer Mike Richards opened up about Trebek’s “peaceful” final day.

“He had a nice final day. He was out on his swing that he loved with his wife and surrounded by family,” Richards said. “It was a very peaceful day, there were laughs, and then he went to sleep.”

“If you know Alex, he did everything that perfectly and even his last day was done that perfectly. I just love that he had a nice, a good last day,” he added. “Ultimately, his family came back into town. He was surrounded by everyone and I think he knew that it was his time. He was very at peace with that.”

During his cancer battle, Trebek said that his one regret was not meeting his wife Jean sooner.

“I’m pretty satisfied with my life,” Trebek said. “But my wife Jean and I have been together almost 29 years, and I was thinking about President [George H.W.] Bush when he died, and all the comments about his life about what a nice guy he is, and how he and his wife had been together 73 years. I thought, oh my gosh if I’d just met Jean in my 20s we could have had a longer life together.”

Recommended
Join the Discussion

COMMENTS POLICY: We have no tolerance for messages of violence, racism, vulgarity, obscenity or other such discourteous behavior. Thank you for contributing to a respectful and useful online dialogue.

Subscribe
Notify of
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
More Stuff