Former New York Rangers Star Ron Duguay’s Fight with Cancer

In February 2026, the family of former NHL star Ron Duguay revealed that he had been diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer in 2024. His children, Amber Stavros, Shay Thomas and Noah Duguay, have organized a GoFundMe to request for help with treatment costs, after noticing the “weight this battle has placed on him, both physically and financially”.

Duguay initially did not want additional help. In their appeal, his daughter Thomas wrote “Our dad has never been someone who asks 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’s going through.” Unfortunately, since his cancer diagnosis, “he hasn’t been able to work the way he normally would”.

At the point of Duguay’s diagnosis, his colon cancer had spread to his liver and was aggressively taking over his body. His first round of treatment did not work out well, and “nearly cost him his life”. He was initially offered a standard chemotherapy protocol that unfortunately did not yield results in attacking the cancer.

The side effects of chemotherapy took a big toll on Duguay, and eventually his family made the decision to transfer him to City of Hope Orange County. He is now under the care of Dr. Pashtoon Murtaza Kasi, the medical director of Gastrointestinal Oncology in City of Hope Orange County. According to his family, his treatment plan under Dr. Kasi has “helped stabilize him and saved his life more than once”.

However, after switching treatments, Duguay now has to fly Orange County every two weeks for ongoing treatment. According to his daughters, his travel costs, medical costs and additional supportive care have now become “extremely overwhelming financially”.

As of late February 2026, his cancer marker results have started to rise again, and his family is now trying to explore “additional treatment options outside of the United States in hopes of giving him the best possible chance”.

Since the launch of Duguay’s fundraiser, his family has expressed sincere gratitude for the outpouring of support and donations from fans and supporters. Thomas posted a reply sharing: “The love and support our family has received during this season has meant more to us than words can express. Every message, every share, and every prayer has reminded us just how many lives my dad has touched over the years.”