Wheel of Fortune’s Vanna White gave an interview about her recent conversation with Jeopardy’s Alex Trebek, who is fighting pancreatic cancer. White says Trebek is in a good mood and has a positive attitude, despite his strenuous cancer journey.
Trebek announced last March that he was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. He returned to the program in August after starting his chemotherapy treatment. Trebek promised to continue hosting Jeopardy until the end of his contract in 2022.
If he decides to leave, it will be up to him. He has had endless support from those around him to keep on going, but he’s aware that he can’t continue on the show indefinitely.
Trebek reported that he has been having difficulty with his speech. His words sometimes slur and his tongue “doesn’t work as well as it used to.” Some of these issues stem from the chemotherapy treatments themselves, as they cause cold sores that impact his speech.As of right now, he will wait until his troubles on the show are more noticeable before he leaves.
“He’s doing good,” White told US Weekly. “He really is, he looks good. I talked to him recently and he’s got a very positive attitude. ”
White also said that Trebek is eager to win the battle against cancer and is grateful for the support from his fans.
“I love that he’s honest and open with his fans, because he’s been doing the show for a very long time also and feels very connected to all of his fans and viewers, he is definitely keeping everybody updated on how he’s doing, and I am so proud of him. He’s still working, he’s obviously doing chemotherapy but working through it, and has that strong will to, as we say, the show must go on,” White continued.
In October, Trebek said he is not afraid of dying: “I’ve lived a good life, a full life, and I’m nearing the end of that life, if it happens, why should I be afraid of that?”
