Former New York Rangers player Ron Duguay has been diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer, and his family has set up a GoFundMe page to help cover his medical expenses.
The hockey legend’s two daughters wrote in the fundraiser’s description that their father — who is currently dating former Alaska governor Sarah Palin — would never normally ask for help, “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.”
Duguay, 68, told Page Six that his cancer started in his colon, resulting in the removal of his appendix and gallbladder.
“I find it extremely hard asking for funds for all these costs I’m going through,” he told the publication. “Normally, I’m helping others.”
The GoFundMe description explained that the money would go toward travel, treatments, holistic care and potential new treatments.
“Earlier in his treatment journey, the care he received in Florida nearly cost him his life. That led us to bring him to Orange County, where my sister and I live, so he could receive treatment here,” the page reads, as it was noted that Duguay flies from Florida to Orange County, California, every two weeks for treatment.
“The cost of constant travel, along with medical care, holistic therapies, supplements, and alternative healing approaches he has committed to, has become extremely overwhelming financially.”
The post continued: “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 strain during an already difficult time.”
As of Wednesday afternoon, the fundraiser has earned over $54,000.
Duguay shares his two adult daughters, Shay Thomas and Amber Stavros, with his first wife, Robin Bobo. He also has a son, Noah, 32, with his second wife, Kim Alexis.
On Tuesday, Thomas posted a montage of clips to Instagram of her father throughout the treatment process, including some clips with his girlfriend, Palin, 62.
The politician discussed her boyfriend’s illness previously during an April 2025 defamation retrial against The New York Times over a 2017 editorial in New York City. At the time, the press asked her where Duguay was as she responded, “Oh, he’s battling a health issue right now, but otherwise very well.”
While Duguay initially played for the Rangers from 1977 to 1983, throughout his 12-season career, he also played for the Red Wings, Kings and Penguins, earning a total of 274 goals and 346 assists. Following his hockey career, he called Ranger games on MSG Network for 12 years before the network dismissed him in 2018.
