Sudbury-born former NHL star Ron Duguay was injured in a recent fall when he fainted at his California home. Duguay, who was a star for the New York Rangers in the late 1970s and early 1980s, is battling Stage 4 colon cancer, his family announced in February. His daughter, Shay Thomas, has been posting updates about her father’s ongoing health battle. In the latest update on Instagram, she said Duguay was rushed to hospital July 24. “On Friday, he fainted at home, was unconscious, injured a few parts of his face, and knocked out a few teeth in the fall … this time, it wasn’t from hockey,” she wrote. “He was taken by ambulance to the hospital. After extensive testing, doctors found that he was extremely dehydrated and had been struggling to eat because of how sick he had been feeling. They also discovered varices, portal hypertensive gastropathy, internal bleeding, and an ulcer.” Thomas also posted a video of her father being taken away by an ambulance. In a message to CTV News, Thomas said her father is no longer taking part in a clinical trial that was working too slowly for his “aggressive” form of cancer. “Right now, our main focus is getting him stronger so he can safely fly back to Orange County and begin this next treatment at City of Hope. The medication costs $24,000 per dose, and he will need at least four doses,” she said. ‘We are beyond grateful’ “We are beyond grateful to everyone who has donated to his GoFundMe. So much of what has already been raised has gone toward his treatments, travel, hospital bills, and other medical expenses over the past year. We are also working with financial assistance programs that have already helped with some of his hospital costs, and we are hopeful they may be able to help with this medication, as well.” Duguay played for the Rangers from 1977-1983, scoring 40 goals and 36 assists in the 1981-1982 season. His best year came with the Detroit Red Wings in 1984-1985, when he had 38 goals and 51 assists. He also played with Pittsburgh and the L.A. Kings, finishing his NHL career in 1989. He also played for the Sudbury Wolves from 1972-1977, with his best season in 1975-1976 when he had 42 goals and 92 assists. To help him battle cancer, the family set up a fundraiser which now sits at more than $160,000. “Because of the cancer in his liver, along with everything his liver has endured from surgery, chemotherapy and the pump, pressure has built up inside the liver,” Thomas said in her post. “That pressure can back up into the stomach and cause bleeding. The ulcer still needs further evaluation, but the bleeding and liver pressure are the major concerns right now.”
