David Johansen's daughter seeks financial aid for 'very sick' father's stage 4 cancer and tumor treatment
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: David Johansen, the lead singer of the New York Dolls, has been battling stage 4 cancer for the past decade, his family has revealed.
His daughter, Leah Hennessey, is now reaching out for financial support as the medical expenses have taken a toll on the family amid financial crunch.
On the fundraiser platform Sweet Relief, Hennessey shared that her father’s health took a turn for the worse after he suffered a fall, breaking his back, which has left him bedridden.
Leah Hennessey says David Johansen is 'my very real and very sick dad'
Leah Hennessey took to her Instagram Stories to share her father’s ongoing battle, writing, "David is a legend but he's also my very real and very sick dad."
She added, "I have so much to say but I guess I'll be posting about this a lot and I don't have to say it all now."
She also acknowledged the difficult financial situation, writing, "I know how dire so many of our situations are right now, and how much fundraising literally everyone is doing."
She added, "But if you love David or any of the magick he's brought into the world please just take a minute to read this or share it. Thank you guys as always."
Leah Hennessey reveals David Johansen has been in 'intensive treatment for stage 4 cancer'
On the fundraising site, Leah Hennessey detailed David Johansen’s condition, stating that he "has been in intensive treatment for stage 4 cancer for most of the past decade."
She explained that about five years ago, they discovered his cancer had worsened and that he had developed a brain tumor, which led to ongoing complications.
She also noted that despite being "very private people," Johansen and his wife, Mara Hennessey, decided to share his health struggles as "we feel compelled to share this now due to the increasingly severe financial burden our family is facing," Parade reported.
David Johansen's illness has progressed exponentially, leaving him'incapacitated'
Leah Hennessey revealed that David Johansen’s health deteriorated further after he fell the day after Thanksgiving, breaking his back.
She explained, "After a week in the hospital and a successful surgery, David has been bedridden and incapacitated. Due to the trauma, David’s illness has progressed exponentially and my mother is caring for him around the clock."
She urged those willing to help to donate, stating that funds raised would be used for "full-time nursing, physical therapy, and funding for day-to-day vital living expenses."
During his time as the lead singer of the New York Dolls, Johansen performed under the stage name Buster Poindexter and had a successful acting career, most notably playing the Ghost of Christmas Past in Scrooged.'
