Alex Trebek Posts Sweet Message Thanking Fans for Support After Cancer Diagnosis: 'I'm a Lucky Guy'

Alex Trebekis feeling the love from people all over the world after revealing hisstage 4 pancreatic cancer diagnosis.

On Thursday, just two days after Trebek returned to theJeopardy!set for his first day back on the job, the game show host, 78, shared a video message to his fans and supporters thanking them for their well wishes during this trying time.

“Hi everyone, I just wanna take a few moments to say thanks to the — believe it or not — hundreds of thousands of people who have sent in tweets, texts, emails, cards, and letters wishing me well following my recent health announcement,” he began in theclip shared on Twitter.

“I’ve heard from former contestants — even Watson, the IBM computer sent me a get well card!” he revealed.

To wrap up his heartfelt message, Trebek simply stated: “I’m a lucky guy.”

Along with the video, the tweet was captioned: “Thank you.”

Prior to Trebek’s shout out,Jeopardy!alsothanked the host’s fanson his behalf with anappreciative tweet on Friday.

“The outpouring of good wishes and support in response to Alex’s recent health news has been humbling and overwhelming,” they wrote on March 8. “Please know that your messages are being conveyed to him and are deeply appreciated. From everyone at Jeopardy! – thank you.”

Jeopardy

Last week, on Wednesday, March 6, Trebekshared his cancer news with fans, in a similarvideo message.

“Hi everyone, I have some news to share with all of you. And it’s in keeping with my longtime policy of being open and transparent with ourJeopardyfanbase. I also wanted to prevent you from reading or hearing some overblown or inaccurate reports regarding my health,” began Trebek.

“So therefore, I wanted to be the one to pass along this information. Now, just like 50,000 other people in the United States each year, this week I was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer,” he continued.

Trebek, who has now hostedJeopardy!for 35 years, vowed to courageously “fight” the disease and also continue working on the game show.

“Now normally the prognosis for this is not very encouraging, but I’m going to fight this and I’m going to keep working,” he continued.

Alex Trebek.Frederick M. Brown/Getty

He also asked his fans to lift up prayers on his behalf. “And with the love and support of my family and friends, and with the help of your prayers also, I plan to beat the low survival rate statistics for this disease,” continued Trebek.

Despite the grave diagnosis, Trebek quipped that he must continue working because of the terms of hiscontract through the 2021-22 season.

“Truth told, I have to because under the terms of my contract, I have to hostJeopardy!for three more years!” he joked. “So help me!”

“Keep the faith and we’ll win,” he concluded, “We’ll get it done. Thank you.”

“The Sajak family is deeply saddened to hear of Alex Trebek’s struggle with cancer. Our hearts go out to him and his family,” Sajak, whose program currently follows Trebek’s on television,wroteon Twitter.

“But there is no one I know who is stronger and more determined, and I would never bet against him,” added Sajak, 72. “We, and the entire country, are pulling for you, Alex.”

By Tuesday, Trebek wasback to work. The host returned to theJeopardy!set for his first day back and first scheduled taping day since announcing his diagnosis, aJeopardy!rep confirmed to PEOPLE.

Alex Trebek.Kris Connor/Getty

Trebek shares two children — Matthew, 29, a restaurateur in Manhattan who owns Oso (a popular Mexican restaurant in North Harlem), and Emily, 27, who works in real estate in Los Angeles — with his wife of 29 years, Jean Currivan.

source: people.com