Nearly a decade after David Johansen privately began his intensive treatment for stage 4 cancer, the rockstar/actor’s daughter has disclosed details about his condition. In a fundraiser for her father, Leah Hennessey revealed that at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Johansen discovered his cancer had progressed, and he had a brain tumor. Since the discovery, the rockstar has dealt with multiple health complications.
Videos by Suggest
“He’s never made his diagnosis public, as he and my mother Mara are generally very private people,” Hennessey explained. “But we feel compelled to share this now due to the increasingly severe financial burden our family is facing.”
Along with his cancer battle, David Johansen recently experienced another health setback. “To make matters worse, the day after Thanksgiving, David fell down the stairs and broke his back in two places,” she revealed. “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.”
Hennessey then shared that for her father to continue his treatment and give him the best chance of recovery, her father will need full-time assistance. “As hilarious and wise as David continues to be, he is physically debilitated,” she acknowledged. “And his care exceeds what we are capable of providing without specialized professional help.”
Despite His Cancer Woes and Health Obstacles, David Johansen Tries to Continue to Work
Johansen’s daughter noted that he had continuously worked as a singer and actor for six decades. However, due to his health struggles for the past five years, he cannot continue performing for his fans.
“Our most immediate needs are full-time nursing, physical therapy, and funding for day-to-day vital living expenses,” Hennessey continued. “With professional specialized care, we are hopeful that David can regain some mobility and independence.”
Hennessey further shared that her mother’s favorite acronym for God is “Grace Over Drama,” and the family has endured crisis after crisis. “But with the support of our community, we hope to carry on laughing and loving our way through this most trying of times,” she added. “Thank you for embracing our family and for your love and generosity.”