New York Rangers great Ron Duguay, who has stayed in the spotlight in recent years while dating former Alaska governor Sarah Palin, is battling cancer.
And Duguay’s family announced that the 12-year NHL veteran is in need of an assist, with his daughters launching a GoFundMe page to help cover the costs of his treatment.
Duguay played nearly 500 games of his NHL career for the Rangers and later became an analyst on the team for MSG Network.
“Our dad has never been someone who asks for help … especially when it comes to money,” Duguay’s daughters wrote on the GoFundMe page. “He has always tried to handle everything on his own and didn’t want to burden anyone else with what he’s going through. But after many conversations as a family, we decided to create this fundraiser for him because we’ve seen firsthand the weight this battle has placed on him, both physically and financially.”
Shay said that due to the cancer, Duguay hasn’t been able to work as he normally would and that earlier treatments “nearly cost him his life.”
“Earlier in his treatment journey, the care he received in Florida nearly cost him his life,” she wrote. “That led us to bring him to Orange County, where my sister and I live, so he could receive treatment here. Thankfully, it has helped him so far.”
What kind of cancer does he have?
Duguay told Page Six that he has been battling cancer, which started in the colon, for a year and it has been diagnosed as Stage 4. He also revealed that he has since lost his appendix and gallbladder.
With Duguay now facing flights from Florida to California every two weeks for treatment, the costs to the family have risen to “overwhelming” levels.
“The cost of constant travel, along with medical care, holistic therapies, supplements, and alternative healing approaches he has committed to, has become extremely overwhelming financially,” the site reads.
How was Duguay’s NHL career?
The 68-year-old Sudbury native is considered a Rangers great, having helped the team reach the 1979 Stanley Cup final. He scored 274 goals and recorded 346 assists for 620 points in his 864 total NHL games, also having suited up for the Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings and Pittsburgh Penguins. He made the 1982 All-Star Game as a member of the Rangers, when he notched 76 points in 72 games.
Duguay added to Page Six that the cancer numbers spiked again, which has led him to consider alternative approaches.
“I am going to do all the alternative along with the Western medicine,” Duguay told the outlet. “What I am learning, I will be able to share with others.
“I need to get better so I can help others.”
As of Wednesday morning, the GoFundMe has surpassed $38,000 US with a new stated goal of $50,000.