The hockey legend Ron Duguay, who played for the New York Rangers, has announced that he is battling cancer. He has been dating the former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin for the past few years.
Duguay’s Grueling Cancer Battle
Duguay told Page Six that he has been battling cancer for the past year. He was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer, and he has since lost his appendix and gallbladder.
Duguay’s daughters have launched a GoFundMe page to help cover the mounting costs of his cancer treatments.
“Because of his cancer, he hasn’t been able to work the way he normally would,” his daughter Shay writes on the fundraising page. “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.”
Duguay’s daughter went on to explain that this move means that her father has to fly from Florida to Orange County every two weeks for ongoing care.
“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,” Shay said.
Duguay’s family is also “exploring additional treatment options outside of the United States in hopes of giving him the best possible chance.” They stated that these therapies are “very expensive and add another layer of financial strain during an already difficult time.”
Duguay Speaks Out
Born in Canada, Duguay spent six seasons playing hockey in New York in the 1970s and 1980s. He later became an analyst for MSG Network.
Duguay said that the GoFundMe was his daughters’ idea, as he did not want to advertise his cancer. However, they convinced him that fundraising was necessary to fund his future cancer treatments.
“I find it extremely hard asking for funds for all these costs I’m going through,” he admitted. “Normally I’m helping others.”
Duguay added that cancer “sucks the life out of you,” and that it’s “so freaking costly.”
Sadly, Duguay said that his numbers recently spiked again. This has left him feeling like he needs to “dig deep” and explore all options that he can.
“I am going to do all the alternative along with the Western medicine,” he said. “What I am learning I will be able to share with others. I need to get better so I can help others.”
Duguay’s daughter Shay posted an emotional video montage to Instagram showing her father in various hospital beds throughout his cancer battle. Palin can be seen in the video supporting Duguay multiple times.
“He is doing everything he possibly can,” the caption reads. “From 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. He is all in. Every single day. And through it all, his faith has never wavered.”
Palin Stands By Duguay
In April of 2025, Palin was in New York City for her defamation retrial against The New York Times over a 2017 editorial. While they were there, she and Duguay attended a Rangers game together. However, he skipped the opening statements for her trial.
When asked where Duguay was at the time, Palin replied, “Oh, he’s battling a health issue right now, but otherwise very well.”
This has clearly been an extremely difficult year for Duguay. Please join us in saying a prayer for him as he continues his cancer battle.