Jean Trebek Launches Stand Up to Cancer Fund in Honor of Alex Trebek's 3rd Death Anniversary

Alex Trebek and Jean Currivan Trebek Michael Kovac/Getty Images

Jean Trebek, widow of Alex Trebek, is honoring the third anniversary of his passing by establishing a Stand Up to Cancer fund in his memory. In a video released on Tuesday, October 31, Jean, aged 60, spoke fondly of her late husband, describing him as a grateful man who approached life with a sense of gratitude. The newly launched Alex Trebek Fund, timed perfectly for Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month in November, aims to provide aid for pancreatic cancer research and promote awareness surrounding the disease.

Jean shared that when Alex was diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer, it came as a complete surprise. In tribute to his commitment to finding solutions, Jean felt it was appropriate to create a fund in his honor through Stand Up to Cancer. She hopes that this fund will provide support for numerous individuals in need. Sadly, Alex passed away on November 8, 2020, at the age of 80, one year after revealing his diagnosis in March 2019. Despite the odds, he remained determined to defy the low survival rates associated with the disease.

Jean expressed her gratitude on Instagram several days after her husband's passing, sharing a heartfelt message alongside a nostalgic photo from their wedding. She thanked everyone for their compassionate messages and generosity, stating that their expressions had deeply moved her and her family. Jean and Alex had two children together, Matthew (33) and Emily (30), while Alex also had a daughter named Nicky from a previous marriage.

During an interview on Today, Jean mentioned that the fund was something Alex would have fully supported. She described him as someone who embraced challenges, possessed great curiosity, and thrived on seeking answers, both on Jeopardy! and in their personal life. Jean believed that the fund perfectly aligned with Alex's character and his desire to assist others in finding the right solutions.

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In collaboration with Katie Couric, co-founder of Stand Up to Cancer, the fund was established. During an appearance on Today, Couric revealed to host Savannah Guthrie that she and Jean developed a friendship after Couric offered her support in the aftermath of Alex's passing. Couric, aged 66, shared, "As we discussed Alex's lasting impact, we brainstormed ways to commemorate him, which led to the conception of this fund."

Jean candidly shared with Guthrie, aged 51, her experience of going through "waves of grief" following the passing of Alex in the April 2021 NBC News special titled Inspiring America: The 2021 Inspiration List. Jean expressed that amidst the sorrow, one of the silver linings, if it can be called that, was that Alex had the opportunity to witness the immense outpouring of love and admiration he had bestowed upon the world. This in itself served as a profound inspiration for him.

Later that year, Mayim Bialik and Ken Jennings, who took over as hosts of Jeopardy! after Alex, paid tribute to the esteemed television personality on the first anniversary of his departure. Bialik, aged 47, tweeted in November 2021, "Today, we remember the loss of the extraordinary Alex Trebek, who left us a year ago. Alex was a legendary entertainer, philanthropist, and lover of life. We miss you, Alex."

In a heartfelt video message shared through the game show's X page, Jennings, aged 49, expressed his deep longing for Alex, stating that he missed him immensely. He shared that Jean, Alex's wife, had gifted him a pair of Alex's cufflinks that he had worn on the show. Jennings revealed that Jean not only considered Jeopardy! but also thought of him, despite never meeting before. He confessed that these cufflinks, known as his Alex Trebek cufflinks, are his sole possession in terms of cufflinks and hold a special significance as a good luck charm for him on the show.