Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin has shared an emotional appeal for prayers as Ron Duguay, the retired NHL star she has been romantically linked to since 2022, continues his battle with advanced cancer.
Duguay, 69, is fighting Stage 4 colon cancer that has spread to his liver, and recent photographs shared by his family show him receiving care in a hospital.
Palin, 62, posted a photograph on Instagram showing her holding Duguay’s hand as he lay in a hospital bed.
“Prayers for Ron Duguay so appreciated,” she wrote, according to Us Weekly.
In another post, Palin shared a black-and-white photograph of herself looking toward Duguay at his bedside, accompanied by a message about faith during difficult times.
“I know God can, I’m asking him to. And even if the answer looks different, I know by now to still hold onto Him,” the message read.
The former vice presidential nominee signed the post with the letter “S.”
Her public appeal follows another emotional message from Duguay’s daughter, Shay Thomas, who recently asked supporters to keep her father in their prayers.
Duguay’s daughter shares an emotional update
Duguay’s family publicly announced his Stage 4 cancer diagnosis in February and established a GoFundMe campaign to help with his situation.
Earlier this month, Thomas shared a photograph of herself kneeling beside her father’s hospital bed, resting her hand on his lap.
Her accompanying message expressed the family’s need for support as Duguay continued receiving medical care.
“I wasn’t planning on posting anything. but I believe in the power of prayer, and right now, we need all the prayers we can get,” she wrote.
Thomas also acknowledged how many people care about her father and asked them to remember him during this difficult period.
Duguay has faced additional health challenges during his illness.
In July, he collapsed at home and was taken to a hospital, where doctors determined that dehydration had caused the incident.
The fall left him with injuries to his teeth, including the loss of his veneers and two natural teeth.
Thomas subsequently shared a photograph showing her father smiling despite the visible damage.
Sarah Palin’s support throughout his cancer battle
Palin and Duguay have been linked romantically since 2022, although the Daily Mail reported that they have not formally confirmed their relationship status publicly.
Their connection has nevertheless remained evident through Palin’s visits and the accounts shared by Duguay’s family.
Thomas has repeatedly praised Palin for supporting her father while also helping other family members during his treatment.
“She’s been a huge source of support. Not only for my dad, but for our entire family,” Thomas said.
She also recalled a period when Duguay underwent surgery involving his colon and liver.
According to Thomas, Palin remained at the hospital with him for five days.
The relationship has involved considerable geographical distance, with Palin based in Alaska while Duguay has spent time receiving medical treatment elsewhere.
Thomas previously explained that Palin’s responsibilities caring for her son Trig, who requires additional assistance, have also affected how frequently the couple can see each other.
Despite those challenges, Thomas described Palin as someone the family could depend on when needed.
“If we ever need her for something, she would take a red-eye flight on short notice,” she said.
