Rangers great Ron Duguay's family makes heartbreaking plea as he battles stage 4 cancer
ron duguay, 68, is battling aggressive stage 4 colon cancer and his family has launched a fundraising campaign as he pursues additional treatment. The family says his condition has worsened, his cancer numbers have started to rise again, and they are exploring costly treatment options outside of the United States in hopes of giving him the best possible chance.
Family plea and fundraiser
The family created a crowdfunding campaign to share details of his condition and to ask for financial help. In a posted appeal, his daughters wrote, "Our dad has never been someone who asks for help…especially when it comes to money. 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. "
The daughters said donations would help cover travel, treatments, holistic care and potential new treatments. One account of the campaign placed the total raised at more than $31, 000 as of Wednesday morning, while another update said over $66, 000 had been raised as of Wednesday.
Treatment and travel for Ron Duguay
The family wrote that earlier care he received in Florida "nearly cost him his life, " prompting them to bring him to Orange County, where a daughter and a sister live, so he could receive treatment there. The daughters said this now requires him to fly from Florida to Orange County every two weeks for ongoing treatment. They added that because his cancer numbers have started to rise again, they are exploring additional treatment options outside of the United States and that "these treatments are very expensive and add another layer of financial strain during an already difficult time. "
Surgeries and medical updates
Duguay has been fighting the disease for more than a year. He has lost his appendix and gallbladder amid his treatment, and one daughter posted that he has undergone major surgery on both his liver and colon. The family said he continues his current treatments while exploring other options.
Alternatives, holistic care and protocols
The family noted they are seeking holistic care in addition to traditional treatment. One daughter, Shay, described in a public post that her father is "doing everything he possibly can. " Shay listed approaches including "Living Antioxidant Water, blood ozone therapy, IV vitamin drips, ivermectin, methylene blue, and countless holistic approaches, while also continuing City of Hope’s chemo protocol and undergoing major surgery on both his liver and colon. "
Duguay himself said seeking financial support has been hard. "I find it extremely hard asking for funds for all these costs I’m going through, " he said. He also summarized the toll of the disease bluntly: cancer "sucks the life out of you, " and is "so freaking costly. "
His words and determination
On his plans for combining treatments, Duguay said, "I am going to do all the alternative along with the Western medicine. What I am learning, I will be able to share with others. " He added, "I need to get better so I can help others. " The family said he continues to fight with everything he has despite financial and physical strain.
Career notes and public appearances
Duguay, 68, is a noted former New York Rangers player. He helped the team reach the 1979 Stanley Cup Final after being selected with the No. 13 pick in the 1977 NHL Draft and later served as an analyst for a regional television network. Photographs in the public record show him skating during warm-ups prior to an alumni game against the Philadelphia Flyers in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Dec. 31, 2011, and attending the 71st Annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York on June 11, 2017.
His family says they are pursuing every avenue they can to support his care and to give him the best possible chance as his cancer progresses and treatment needs evolve.
