Ron Duguay’s Battle with Cancer

Former New York Rangers star Ron Duguay is fighting an aggressive Stage 4 cancer, prompting his family to make a poignant appeal for assistance as he undergoes treatment in hopes of improving his situation.

At 68 years old, Duguay has shared insights into his health struggles for the first time. Despite his past efforts to support others, he confided that seeking financial help has been particularly challenging. “I think it’s going to be very difficult to seek funding for all these expenses that I’m going through,” he mentioned, expressing the difficulty of transitioning from being a helper to needing help himself.

Duguay was diagnosed with colon cancer more than a year ago and experienced significant medical interventions, including the removal of his appendix and gallbladder. His family has initiated a GoFundMe campaign to provide updates on his condition and their pursuit of further treatment.

In their campaign, they shared, “Our father was never one to ask for help… especially when it came to money. He always tried to handle everything on his own.” However, the family ultimately decided to seek support as they recognized the heavy toll the illness has taken on him both physically and financially.

They noted that Duguay has struggled to work like he used to. Early treatment options in Florida were particularly hard on him, leading the family to relocate him to Orange County, where family members reside. Here, he has received better care, which has so far been life-saving.

As his battle continued, Duguay has been traveling between Florida and California for treatment every couple of weeks. As symptoms worsened, he began looking into more comprehensive care alongside traditional methods. “Recently, his cancer numbers have begun to rise again,” his family explained. They are currently evaluating additional treatment options outside the U.S., which come with significant costs, further compounding their financial strain.

As of now, the GoFundMe has raised over $66,000, providing some relief amid the ongoing challenges.

Duguay emerged as a prominent figure for the Rangers in the late 1970s and early 1980s when he was drafted 13th overall in 1977, significantly contributing to the team’s journey to the 1979 Stanley Cup Final.

Throughout his 11-year NHL career, he participated in 864 games, achieving 274 goals and 346 assists and also playing for teams like the Detroit Red Wings, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Los Angeles Kings.