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New York Rangers great Ron Duguay is battling aggressive stage 4 cancer, prompting his family to issue a heartbreaking plea for help as the former NHL star pursues further treatment “in hopes of giving him the best possible chance.”
Duguay, 68, first opened up about his health to page six, telling the outlet that seeking financial support has been a challenge for him as someone who has used his platform to try to help others.
Ron Duguay (10) of the New York Rangers skates during warmups prior to the start of the alumni game against the Philadelphia Flyers in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on December 31, 2011. (Brian Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images)
“I find it extremely difficult to ask for funds for all these costs I am going through,” he said. “Usually I help others.”
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According to Page Six, Duguay was diagnosed with colon cancer more than a year ago and has lost his appendix and gallbladder during his treatment. Duguay’s family started a GoFundMe campaign to share the details of their father’s condition and his plans to seek further treatment.
“Our father has never been one to ask for help…especially when it comes to money. He has always tried to do everything on his own and has not wanted to burden anyone else with what he is going through. But after many conversations as a family, we decided to do this fundraiser for him because we have seen the toll this battle has put on him, both physically and financially,” the family wrote on the campaign.
“Due to his cancer, he hasn’t been able to work like he used to, yet he continues to fight with everything he has. Earlier in his treatment journey, the care he received in Florida almost cost him his life. It led us to bring him to Orange County, where my sister and I live, so he could receive treatment here… and thankfully, it has helped him so far.”
Ron Duguay attends the 71st Annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York, New York on June 11, 2017. (Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions)
The family went on to explain that Duguay flies from Florida to California every two weeks to receive treatment and that his worsening condition has led them to seek “holistic care” in addition to traditional treatment.
“Recently, his cancer numbers have started to rise again, and while he continues his current treatments, we are now exploring additional treatment options outside of the United States in hopes of giving him the best possible chance. These treatments are very expensive and add another layer of financial burden to an already difficult time.”
More than $66,000 had been raised as of Wednesday.
Canadian hockey player Ron Duguay (center) of the New York Rangers in front of the net during a game against the New York Islanders, April 1982. Islanders Canadian goalie Billy Smith (right) and American defenseman Ken Morrow defend the goal. (Bruce Bennett Studios via Getty Images Studios/Getty Images))
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Duguay was one of the Rangers’ most recognizable figures in the late 1970s and early 1980s after being drafted 13th overall in 1977. He was a key part of the team’s run to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1979.
He played 864 games over an 11-year NHL career, recording 274 goals and 346 assists. He also played for the Detroit Red Wings, Pittsburgh Penguins and Los Angeles Kings during that time.
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