Bay Area radio legend seeks ‘crucial' donations amid health, financial struggles
Celebrated Bay Area radio personality Ronn Owens is reupping fundraising efforts to help with mounting medical expenses due to ongoing health issues.
The former KGO host reshared the link to a GoFundMe campaign via Facebook on Sunday, June 8. It was initially launched on New Year's Eve to assist him as he continues to deal with the financial challenges that come with living with Parkinson's disease and his other 'health battles.'
The 79-year-old has had four bouts with cancer, most recently colon cancer, according to the GoFundMe created by 'Ronn's Friends and Family.'
Owens noted that the fundraiser 'remains a crucial source of support.'
'I've considered my KGO listeners to be more than just an audience — you've been an extended family,' he wrote. 'The messages, memories, and kindness you've shared with me have been a profound source of strength, especially during these recent health and financial challenges.'
The renewed plea comes a month after his daughter, Laura, was indicted in an unrelated high-profile paternity case. He made no mention of her or the scandal in the post.
Laura was indicted in Arizona in May with seven felony charges, including fraud and perjury. They stem from a 2023 lawsuit involving 'The Bachelor' star Clayton Echard, during which Laura claimed she had become pregnant with twins after meeting the reality TV star. Echard denied the allegations, stating that their sexual interactions did not involve intercourse. She later said she had a miscarriage.
But officials soon discovered Laura had fabricated evidence, including altering an ultrasound image, and lied under oath.
She has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
In January, shortly after the GoFundMe campaign went live, Owens' Arizona home was raided by police, because Laura was living in a casita at the back of the property.
While the GoFundMe campaign lists Owens as the beneficiary, with donations going directly to his medical expenses, some have questioned whether he's dipping into the funds to help pay Laura's legal bills.
'Must be a coincidence it aligns with likely pricey criminal defense bills, right?' wrote X user @ClaytonsJustice with regards to Owens' recent Facebook post.
The verified account, which has 2,054 followers and a mission 'seeking justice for all victims of Laura Owens,' is one of several social media accounts closely following the case.
Owens, who could be heard on Bay Area airwaves for five decades, retired in 2021 just before KGO's longtime news-talk format was discontinued. He has since been open about his financial and physical hardships on Facebook.
'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,' he wrote in a Dec. 31 post.
As of Tuesday evening, Owens has raised more than $125,000 of his $140,000 goal.
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