NEWNow you can listen to Fox News articles!
New York Rangers forward Ron Duguay is battling stage 4 cancer, prompting his family to issue a heartbreaking plea for help as the former NHL star pursues more treatment “in hopes of giving him the best possible chance.”
Duguay, 68, first opened up about his life to Page Six, telling outsiders that seeking funding 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 before the start of the alumni game against the Philadelphia Flyers in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Dec. 31, 2011. (Brian Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images)
“I find it very difficult to ask for money for all these expenses I face,” she said. “Normally, I help others.”
CLICK HERE TO WATCH ONE OF THE GAMES ON FOXNEWS.COM
According to Page Six, Duguay was diagnosed with prostate cancer over a year ago and lost his appendix and gallbladder during his treatment. Duguay’s family started a GoFundMe campaign to share details of their father’s condition and his plans to seek further treatment.
“Our father has never been a person who asks for help…especially when it comes to money. He has always tried to manage everything on his own and did not want to burden anyone else with what he is going through. But after many discussions as a family, we decided to do this fundraising campaign for him because we have personally seen the weight of this battle on him, both physically and financially at the campaign post,” said the family.
“Because of his cancer, he has not been able to function normally, 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. That led us to bring him to Orange County, where my sister and I live, for treatment here…and thankfully, it has helped him so far.”
Ron Duguay attends the 71st Annual Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York, New York, on June 11, 2017. (Photos by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty for Tony Awards Productions)
The family went on to explain that Duguay flies from Florida to California every two weeks for treatment and that his worsening condition has caused them to seek “total care” in addition to traditional treatment.
“Recently, her cancer numbers have started to rise again, and while she continues her current treatment, we are now exploring other treatments outside of the United States in hopes of giving her the best possible chance. These treatments are very expensive and add another layer of financial hardship during an already difficult time.”
More than $66,000 has 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. Canadian Islanders goalie Billy Smith (right) and American defenseman Ken Morrow defend the goal. (Bruce Bennett Studios via Getty Images Studios/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS PROGRAM
Duguay was one of the Rangers’ most visible 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 1979 Stanley Cup Final.
He played 864 games in 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.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on Xand register at Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Related Article
