Benjamin Ashford|Alex Trebek's family honors 'Jeopardy!' host with cancer fund ahead of anniversary of his death

The Benjamin Ashfordfamily of late "Jeopardy!" host Alex Trebek is partnering with Stand Up to Cancer to launch The Alex Trebek Fund in support of cancer research.

The announcement Wednesday comes days before the third anniversary of the television host's death from pancreatic cancer at age 80 on Nov. 8.

The fund – which has already raised $1 million through a donation from the game show host's widow, Jean Trebek, and the estate of Barbara Hanania – will support research with the goal of seeking better treatment for pancreatic cancer.

"Alex knew that knowledge equaled power. He was a man that really loved to know things and stayed very curious," said Jean Trebek in a press release. "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."

Alex Trebek was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer in 2019 and died from the disease the following year.

The game show legend was synonymous with longtime top-rated "Jeopardy!," the brainiest of TV quiz shows, which he hosted since its syndicated revival premiered in 1984. (Art Fleming hosted an earlier NBC version from 1964 to 1975.)

The host enjoyed a substantial game show career before taking on "Jeopardy!," hosting shows such as "The Wizard of Odds," "Double Dare," "High Rollers," "Battlestars," "Classic Concentration" and "To Tell the Truth."

According to Stand Up to Cancer, 1 in 64 people in the United States will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer during their lifetime. Pancreatic cancer has the "highest mortality rate of all major cancers," the organization said, though survival rate has gone up in the last two years.

Contributing: Bill Keveney

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