Former NHL Star Ron Duguay Provides Update on Stage 4 Cancer Fight
Former New York Rangers star Ron Duguay, who revealed last month that he is battling Stage 4 colon cancer, has shared a new update on his health and treatment plan. The 68-year-old hockey legend, known for his time with the Rangers and as an analyst on MSG Network, detailed his "upgraded" treatment in a recent video posted to his Instagram Story.
High-Dose Vitamin C Treatment and GoFundMe Campaign
In the video, Duguay explained that he is receiving large doses of Vitamin C as part of his cancer treatment. "Most of you are aware of the benefits of Vitamin C. Most people may take a gram a day, maybe two," Duguay said, showing his arm hooked up to an IV in a doctor's office. "I'm doing as much as 75 grams. I've been doing 50. My body has been tolerating it. So now I'm moving it up to 75. I'm going to get to the bottom of this. Get stronger. Build up my immune system so I can get out of here. I want to see the finish line! Let's go!"
To help cover the prohibitive costs of his healthcare, Duguay's family launched a GoFundMe page. His daughter, Shay Thomas, told Us Weekly that convincing her father to seek outside help was "a fight for many months." She revealed that Duguay had accumulated significant credit card debt, prompting the family to start the fundraiser. "We spoke as a family and we said, 'We need to make this GoFundMe. We gotta do everything we can. Because if we don't, it's going to kill you,'" Thomas said.
The GoFundMe has raised over $120,000 US as of Wednesday, despite some backlash from critics who assumed Duguay had substantial savings from his NHL career. Thomas responded to this, stating, "I see so many things where people are like, 'He has millions of dollars from back in the day.' I'm like, 'What are we talking about?'" She emphasized that the family was not as financially secure as many believed.
Support from Sarah Palin and Family
Duguay, who has been dating former Alaska governor and U.S. vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin for several years, has received significant support from her during his battle. Thomas described Palin as a "huge source of support" for the entire family. "She's been involved and incredibly supportive in my dad's entire journey," Thomas said. "Their relationship can obviously be challenging because they live long distance. She's in Alaska, he's in Florida. But they have always remained close."
Thomas highlighted Palin's dedication, noting that she took a red-eye flight on short notice to be with Duguay during a surgery where doctors operated on his colon and liver. "She stayed with him in the hospital for five days," Thomas added. "She's been a huge source of support. Not only for my dad, but for our entire family."
Ron Duguay's NHL Career and Legacy
Ron Duguay, a native of Sudbury, Ontario, is considered a Rangers great, having helped the team reach the 1979 Stanley Cup final. Over his NHL career, which spanned 864 games with the Rangers, Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, and Pittsburgh Penguins, he scored 274 goals and recorded 346 assists for a total of 620 points. He made the 1982 All-Star Game as a member of the Rangers, notching 76 points in 72 games that season.
Duguay's diagnosis with colon cancer came in December 2024, but he kept it private until recently when his family decided to go public to seek assistance. The update on his treatment and the ongoing GoFundMe campaign underscore the challenges faced by many in accessing expensive medical care, even for former professional athletes.
This story highlights the importance of community support and innovative treatments in the fight against serious illnesses like cancer.
