Friends of the owner of a popular barbecue joint are asking the community to rally to support him as he faces his second cancer battle in two years. 

Ron Swanby of Swampy’s BBQ Sauce and Catering was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2024 and underwent surgery to remove it. However, five months ago, he was diagnosed with stage 2 rectal cancer and is now undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatment at the Tri-Cities Cancer Center. “It’s been brutal,” he said in a release.

Swanby has always been there for the Tri-Cities, whether that’s feeding someone who’s hungry outside Swampy’s or lending a hand to community organizations, said longtime friend Mike Denslow, creator of Love The Tri and manager of CMG Home Loans, in a release. “He embodies what community looks like, and now it’s our turn to stand with him.”

The Port of Kennewick honored Swanby in 2025 its annual Friends of the Port award recognizing outstanding service to the port and the community, calling him a champion for Columbia Gardens Artisan Village at 325 E. Columbia Drive. 

The port called him the earliest adopter of the port’s idea of bringing a food truck plaza to east Kennewick. He helped establish the Columbia Gardens Food Truck Plaza and when he outgrew his food truck, he bought land and built his restaurant there. 

Denslow and others have launched a “Rally for Ron” GoFundMe campaign to raise $25,000 for Swanby’s medical expenses not covered by insurance, backfill lost income while he is unable to work and pay for other household and living expenses while his wife, Christina, cares for him. 

The fundraiser had collected nearly $13,000 as of Sept. 2.

The Swanbys have committed to donating any funds given in excess of the campaign goal to the Tri-Cities Cancer Center to assist other families.

The GoFundMe campaign will run through Oct. 5. To learn more, go to: gofundme.com/f/rally-for-ron-tqvj3.

Commemorative “Rally for Ron” T-shirts also are available at Swampy’s on Sept. 8 for suggested donation of $20.