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New York Rangers great Ron Duguay is battling an aggressive Stage 4 cancer, prompting his family to issue a heartbreaking plea for help as the former NHL star seeks additional treatment “in hopes of giving him the best chance possible.”
Duguay, 68, spoke for the first time about his health with page six, telling the outlet that seeking financial support 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 prior to the start of the alumni game against the Philadelphia Flyers in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on December 31, 2011. (Brian Babineau/NHLI via Getty Images)
“It’s extremely difficult for me to ask for funds for all these costs that I’m going through,” he said. “Normally, I help others.”
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According to Page Six, Duguay was diagnosed with colon cancer more than 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 their plans to seek additional treatment.
“Our dad has never been one to ask 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 is going through. But after many conversations as a family, we decided to create this fundraiser for him because we have seen firsthand the weight this battle has put on him, both physically and financially,” the family wrote in the campaign post.
“Due to his cancer, he hasn’t been able to work like he normally would, but he continues to fight with everything he has. Early in his treatment, 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, so he could receive treatment here… and fortunately, it has helped him so far.”
Ron Duguay attends the 71st Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York, New York on June 11, 2017. (Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images 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 has led them to seek “comprehensive care” in addition to traditional treatment.
“Recently, his cancer numbers have begun 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 opportunity. These treatments are very expensive and add another layer of financial stress during an already difficult time.”
As of Wednesday, more than $66,000 had been raised.
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 goaltender Billy Smith (right) and American defenseman Ken Morrow defend the goal. (Bruce Bennett Studios via Getty Images Studios/Getty Images))
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Duguay was one of the Rangers’ most recognizable figures of the late 1970s and early 1980s after being selected 13th overall in 1977. He was a key part of the team’s run to the 1979 Stanley Cup Final.
He played in 864 games over his 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.
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