Rangers legend Ron Duguay has been diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer, he told Page Six, and his family has set up a GoFundMe page to help cover some of the expenses.
Duguay, 68, told Page Six that the cancer originates from the intestines and that he has been battling this disease for more than a year, having lost his appendix and gall bladder.
“I find it very difficult to ask for money for all these expenses that I am facing,” said Duguay to Page Six.
“Often, I help others.”
He added that cancer “sucks up life,” and is “very expensive.”
His daughters wrote on a GoFundMe page that donations will help pay for travel, medical treatment, comprehensive care and possible new treatments.
“Our father has never been one to ask for help…especially when it comes to money,” Duguay’s daughters wrote in their complaint, which has raised more than $31,000 as of Wednesday morning. “He always tried to handle everything on his own and did not want to burden anyone else with what he was going through, but after many discussions as a family we decided to make this donation for him because we saw firsthand how hard this war has burdened him, physically and financially.
“Because of his cancer, he hasn’t been able to work the way he used to, but he continues to fight with everything he has.”
Duguay, 68, is part of Rangers lore, having helped the team reach the 1979 Stanley Cup finals after being selected with the No. 13 pick in the 1977 NHL Draft.
He also worked as an analyst for MSG Network.
Duguay’s daughters noted in their campaign that the previous treatment their father received in Florida “almost cost him his life,” leading to her moving him to Orange County, California to be closer to them.
“However, this now requires her to fly from Florida to Orange County every two weeks for ongoing treatment,” the daughters wrote. “The cost of constant travel, as well as the medical care, holistic therapies, supplements, and other treatments he’s committed to, has become a financial burden.
“Recently, his cancer numbers have started to rise again, and while he continues his current treatment, we are now exploring other treatment options outside of the United States in hopes of giving him the best possible chance.
Duguay added on page six that cancer numbers have also increased, leading him to consider other options.
“I’ll do everything else and Western medicine,” Duguay lamented to Page Six. “What I learn, I will be able to tell others.”
He added: “I need to get better so I can help others.”
One of Duguay’s daughters, Shay, posted an emotional video on Instagram with the caption that her father is “doing everything he can.”
“From Living Antioxidant Water, blood ozone therapy, IV vitamin drips, ivermectin, methylene blue, and countless holistic modalities, while continuing City of Hope’s chemo protocol and undergoing major liver and colon surgery,” Shay wrote on his Instagram Tuesday. “He’s there. Every day. And through it all, his faith has never wavered.”
Duguay first played for the Rangers from 1977-83 before returning for parts of the 1986-87 and 1987-88 seasons, and skated for the Red Wings, Kings and Penguins in a 12-season career.
He had 274 goals and 346 assists in his career, and made his lone All-Star appearance in the 1981-82 season with the Rangers.
Duguay spent 12 years calling Rangers games on the MSG Network before being fired in 2018.
