James Holzhauer is giving back toAlex Trebekin a big way as theJeopardy!host continues his fight against pancreatic cancer.
After winning a total of $2,462,216 over the course of 32 straight games on the syndicated show, the Las Vegas-based professional sports bettor, 34, has donated a portion of his winnings to a charity event raising money for pancreatic cancer research in Trebek’s name.
According to a donation listing on the website forthe 2019 Naperville Pancreatic Cancer Research Walk in Naperville, Illinois, Holzhauer — who used to live in the city and was educated in its schools — pledged $1,109.14 to the cause “for Alex Trebek and all the other survivors.”
The number is significant for Holzhauer, as astuteJeopardy!fans will know. It’s the birthday of his 4-year-old daughter, Natasha.
That episode began with Trebek extending his gratitude toward Holzhauer for a card his daughter had made. “I want to express my thanks to your beautiful little daughter, Natasha, for having made this get well card for me,” Trebek told Holzhauer. “That was very sweet of her.”
Jeopardy Productions, Inc.
James Holzhauer’s Donation.
“My gut told me it was the right thing to do,” she said. “It couldn’t hurt.”
In his response, Holzhauer expressed regret that he would not be in Naperville for the walk, Zediker toldThe Chicago Tribune.But, he revealed he would gladly send a donation.
“There was no expectation on my end,” she told CNN. “I was just thrilled that he responded. I knew that Alex’s story had an impact on him, just like it has an impact on anyone who’s working with a family member who’s going through pancreatic cancer.”
Alex Trebek.Ramona Rosales
Trebek, 78, has been battling pancreatic cancer for months now, going public with hisstage 4 diagnosisback in March.
Although the cancer has a 9 percent survival rate, the Emmy winner has beenresponding very well to chemotherapy— telling PEOPLE in a cover story in May that he was “near remission.”
James Holzhauer.Jeopardy
Meanwhile, Holzhauer will return toJeopardy!in season 36 for the next edition ofTournament of Champions.
Despite not beating Ken Jennings’ regular-season record total winnings of $2.52 million, Holzhauer made history on the syndicated game show as one of only three players tocross the $2 million mark. He dominated the game with a strategy that involved going for all of the high-value questions first, hunting for the Double Jeopardy items, and when he found them, betting all he had.
“Nobody likes to lose,” Holzhauer toldThe New York Times. “But I’m very proud of how I did, and I really exceeded my own expectations for the show. So I don’t feel bad about it.”
source: people.com
