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‘Jeopardy!’ Champ Ditches Wig to Make Statement About Her Cancer, Children in Ukraine Evacuated to Neighboring Countries to Continue Cancer Treatment and More

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From a “Jeopardy!” winner taking her wig off on the gameshow to childhood patients with cancer in Ukraine being bussed to neighboring countries to safely receive treatment, here’s what’s happening in the cancer space this week.

Four-day “Jeopardy!” champion Christine Whelchel took her wig off on Monday’s episode to, “normalize what cancer recovery looks like,” she said on the gameshow.

Whelchel previously announced that she was undergoing cancer treatments during her auditions for the trivia show. She said that one of the first things she did after receiving her diagnosis was take the “Jeopardy!” test, and then had her audition for the show the night before her surgery.

“After the winnings, I decided that I didn’t need to hide behind a wig anymore, and I wanted to normalize what cancer recovery looks like,” she said.

Senator Dianne Feinstein’s husband, Richard Blum, died of cancer on Sunday.

Blum, 86, an investor, died on Feb. 27, six years after being diagnosed with lung cancer. Feinstein, a democratic senator from California, said that she was heartbroken when announcing the death of her husband. “My husband was my partner and best friend for more than 40 years. He was by my side for the good times and for the challenges. I am going to miss him terribly,” she said in a statement.

Blum was the chairman of Blum Capital Partners, an equity investment management firm based in San Francisco, though Feinstein said that her husband’s “true passion was outside the office.” He was the founder of the American Himalayan Foundation and was dedicated to stopping human trafficking, improving health care and supplying elder and child care, according to “The Hill.”

Children with cancer evacuate Ukraine, days after receiving treatment in the basement of Ohmatdyt Children’s Hospital, the largest children’s hospital in Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv.

As Russia’s invasion continues across Ukraine, pediatric patients with cancer sought safety in the basement of Ohmatdyt Children’s Hospital, where they continued to receive their cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. Days later, as the bombing and airstrikes continued, children were evacuated to Poland and other neighboring countries by bus.

“If we stop (treatment), they will die,” Lesia Lysytsia, an onco-ophthalmologist, told The Washington Post on Tuesday. “We cannot stop their treatment. They’re at war with cancer every day.”

Casey DeSantis, the 41-year-old wife of Florida governor Ron DeSantis, announced on Thursday that she is now cancer-free.

"There are no words to express how truly blessed, grateful and humbled I am to hear the words cancer free," she said in a statement. "To those who are in the fight, know there is hope. Have faith and stay strong."

The 41-year-old Florida first lady originally announced in October 2021 that she had received a diagnosis of breast cancer.

Former Nickelodeon star Kirk Baily dies months after lung cancer diagnosis.

Kirk Baily, who is best known for his role as Kevin “Ug” Lee in “Salute Your Shorts” — the popular 90s children and teen’s show that aired on Nickelodeon — died six months after being diagnosed with lung cancer. He was 59.

After “Salute Your Shorts,” Baily made guest appearances in “7th Heaven,” “NYPD Blue,” “Melrose Place,” “Felicity,” “Judging Amy” and “Star Trek: Voyager.” The actor’s credits don’t end with the projects where he was on-screen. He also was a voice actor for movies such as “Frozen,” “The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run,” and more.

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