Jean Trebek, the wife of the late Alex Trebek, and Katie Couric’s Stand Up to Cancer have combined forces to launch The Alex Trebek Fund, with an eye to accelerating medical research to better treat pancreatic cancer by having fans of the iconic Jeopardy! host lean in with support.
An initial $1 million has been raised via a donation from Jean Trebek and the Estate of Barbara Hanania. The launch of the Alex Trebek Fund comes as Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month in November kicks off and SU2C looks to raise additional funds.
Trebek and his wife Jean first formed the Trebek Family Foundation for charitable giving in 2011. But that was before the legendary game show host was diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer in 2019, and a year later died from a disease that is notoriously difficult to detect and treat and has an unforgiving survival rate.
“Since Alex was all about the right answer, I think it’s very fitting that this fund is now established in his name. It’s a way for the community that loved him to put resources directly into the hands of scientists working tirelessly to fight a disease shrouded by many unknowns,” Jean Trebek said in a statement.
Around one in 64 Americans are expected to be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in their lifetime, and the deadly cancer is on the rise among young people. During his cancer battle, which included rounds of chemotherapy and an experimental immunotherapy treatment, Trebek went on Good Morning America to talk about the emotional roller coaster he faced with his wife Jean at his side.
“It just has to do with the fact that I feel like a terrible burden to her and that bothers me tremendously,” Trebek revealed.
Couric, whose sister Emily died of pancreatic cancer in 2001, said cancer survivors are key supporters to call for research into specific cancer treatments and cures, and pancreatic cancer has few survivors to become champions for a cause.
“Because there aren’t many people who survive pancreatic cancer, like my sister Emily, the built-in advocacy base isn’t there, and it’s up to the ones left behind to channel our grief into activism. For all the fans who loved and respected Alex – and there are legions of them – this fund allows them to honor him and support lifesaving science,” Couric added in her own statement.
Trebek hosted Jeopardy! since its current iteration debuted in 1984. He won six Daytime Emmy Awards for outstanding game show host and received a lifetime achievement award in 2011 after hosting the syndicated show for over 36 years.
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