The family of Ron Duguay is opening up about his difficult battle with advanced cancer, sharing how they’ve supported one another — including his partner, Sarah Palin — through the ups and downs.
Duguay’s daughter, Shay Thomas, revealed just how serious things have been.
“He’s been pretty close to death a few times,” she told Page Six.
Spread to his liver and beyond
According to Shay Thomas, her father initially felt completely fine before his Stage IV colon cancer diagnosis in November 2024. The first warning signs appeared while he was visiting Palin in Alaska.
She explained, “He was… doing gardening work and his stomach was getting really gassy and he was getting really tired.” She added, “He was noticing he had to nap and was getting uncomfortable. He flew back to Florida to see one of his regular doctors and they did blood work and noticed his cell count was off.”
Doctors later confirmed the cancer had spread to his liver and beyond.
Since then, Duguay, 68, has undergone multiple treatments, including surgeries to remove part of his appendix and his gallbladder, chemotherapy, and the placement of a port in his liver.
The side effects have been tough.
“He lost his hair and he had skin rashes. Each treatment reacts differently,” Shay Thomas said, noting a small positive: his hair grew back “a great color and pretty thick.”
Throughout everything, Palin has remained a steady presence.
“Sarah has been very involved and incredibly supportive throughout the whole journey,” Thomas said.
Despite the challenges of a long-distance relationship between Alaska and Florida, the former Alaska Governor has consistently shown up. “When we have needed her for something, she will take a red-eye that night and be there for him.”
Recently, Duguay completed radiation treatment, but rising cancer markers signaled another setback.
Still, there’s a glimmer of hope — he has been approved for a clinical trial designed to help T cells better attack cancer. “He just got approved two days ago,” Thomas said. “We are really grateful.”
The emotional toll has been heavy, especially during moments when Duguay feared the worst, only to face new complications. His family continues to lean on faith and resilience as they support him through the fight.
To help manage the growing financial burden, the family launched a GoFundMe campaign, which has already raised over $100,000.
The costs — including travel, treatments, and alternative therapies — have been overwhelming, especially since Duguay hasn’t been able to work. Though initially hesitant to accept help, he’s now grateful for the support.
A more positive update
Despite everything, Duguay remains focused on recovery and hopes to eventually give back to others.
He recently shared a more positive update after visiting a cancer center in California, where doctors noted improvement in his blood markers. “My strength has come back and when I have days like this, I have to celebrate it,” he said.
Duguay also mentioned that his signature hair — a defining feature during his hockey career — has returned.
“I shaved my head, and it’s grown back darker and thicker,” he told the New York Post.
Since his diagnosis, he has pursued both conventional treatments like chemotherapy and alternative approaches, including vitamin therapies and other experimental methods.
For over a year, he kept his illness private, even as his weight dropped significantly and he underwent major procedures. “A part of me was embarrassed. Here I am a role model for good health, and I’m the one who gets sick,” he admitted.
Support has poured in from friends, fans, and the hockey community. Duguay said, “I’ve been overwhelmed with people reaching out,” adding that the encouragement has lifted his spirits.
Palin has also stood firmly by his side. Duguay described her as “the sweetest, kindest person,” saying she’s “been a great companion.” She has flown in to be with him during surgeries, even sleeping in a chair in his hospital room.
Palin echoed the sentiment, praising Duguay’s compassion, especially toward her son. “Ron is so good with Trig,” she said. “A lot of people would shy away from a situation like that but Ron is very nurturing and empathetic.”
Looking ahead, Duguay hopes to turn his experience into something meaningful by advocating for early cancer detection. He admitted he once avoided colonoscopies because “it seemed so invasive,” but now wants others to learn from his experience.
Though the journey has been incredibly difficult, he says it has changed him. “I find that it’s taken me to a kinder place,” he said. “I believe I have a calling.”
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