For nearly 50 years, Ronn Owens was a fixture at KGO 810 in the Bay Area. During his tenure, he was never shy about the medical issues he had faced. He’s now opening up on social media with a GoFundMe launched to help offset the financial burdens the health challenges have caused.
In 2014, Owens shared that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease earlier in life. However, in a social media post, the longtime radio host shared that he had been diagnosed with cancer four times, had most recently beaten colon cancer, and was also undergoing serious heart issues.
“It’s been a rough road, and honestly, it’s hard to admit that the financial strain has become overwhelming on top of everything else,” Owens said in the social media post asking for support. “For 48 years, I poured my heart into KGO, sharing stories, sparking conversations, and connecting with you all. I never imagined I’d be in this position, but here I am, asking for a little help from the community that has meant so much to me.”
Owens is a member of both the Radio Hall of Fame, being inducted in 2015, and the Bay Area Hall of Fame.
During an interview with The Mercury News, Owens’ wife Jan Black revealed that Owens has also battled pneumonia and COVID-19 in recent years, and was given six months to live at one point before returning to better health. However, the couple’s medical insurance hasn’t covered all of the expenses and Owens needs an in-home caregiver.
“It truly was a last resort,” she shared.
The GoFundMe account originally featured a $60,000 goal. When that was surpassed, the goal was raised to $100,000, with the page approaching that new goal.
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.
