Sarah Palin Requests Prayers for Boyfriend Ron Duguay Amid Cancer Battle
Former Alaska Governor shares a photo from the hospital bedside of her boyfriend, former NHL star Ron Duguay, as he undergoes treatment for Stage 4 colon cancer.
Sarah Palin has publicly asked for prayers for her boyfriend, former NHL player Ron Duguay, who is currently battling Stage 4 colon cancer that has metastasized to his liver. Palin shared a photograph on her Instagram Story Sunday, depicting her holding Duguay's hand as he lay in a hospital bed.
"Prayers for Ron Duguay so appreciated," Palin wrote, according to reports from US Weekly. The image captures a somber moment as Duguay undergoes treatment.
Duguay's family announced his diagnosis in February, also establishing a GoFundMe page to support his medical expenses. Palin, 62, and Duguay, 69, have been in a relationship since 2022.
The public appeal for support comes weeks after Duguay's daughter, Shay Thomas, shared a similarly concerning update on her father's health. Thomas posted an image of herself kneeling by her father's hospital bed, emphasizing the need for prayers. "I believe in the power of prayer, and right now, we need all the prayers we can get," she wrote on Instagram. "Please keep our dad in your prayers."
Earlier in the year, in July, Duguay experienced a concerning collapse at his home. Doctors attributed the incident to dehydration. He was subsequently hospitalized, and during this period, he lost two of his natural teeth and all of his veneers. Thomas detailed this incident, sharing a photo of her father with a missing tooth.
In an interview, Thomas noted that Palin has been "incredibly supportive" and "involved" throughout Duguay's ongoing health challenges. Despite the geographic distance, with Palin residing in Alaska and Duguay in Florida, Thomas stated that they have "always remained close."
Ron Duguay played 12 seasons in the NHL, being selected 13th overall by the New York Rangers in the 1977 NHL Entry Draft. His tenure with the Rangers included an appearance in the 1979 Stanley Cup Final and his sole NHL All-Star Game selection in 1982. He also played for the Detroit Red Wings, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Los Angeles Kings before concluding his career in 1989. Duguay amassed 274 goals and 346 assists in 864 career games.