The singer of iconic punk group The New York Dolls has secretly fought Stage 4 cancer over the past few years.
Mara Hennessy, David Johansen's wife of over 10 years, spoke to Fox News Digital about his diagnosis.
“David has lived with Stage 4 cancer for several years. He has undergone chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy and surgery, overcame all the side effects and outcomes of various treatments.
David Johansen has fought stage 4 cancer for years. (Getty Images)
“He is nurtured by the love of his wife and daughter, sparring friends, colleagues and fans, trying to keep his troubles a secret. He's always been like this,” Hennessy said.
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“He claims it's because he's half the Norwegian,” she continued.
“David has lived with Stage 4 cancer for several years. He has undergone chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy and surgery, overcame all the side effects and outcomes of various treatments.
Hennessy explained that the financial burden is taking a toll on his family.
“Our family has reached a point where we need more support. We drive some serious debts to look after our beloved David, and even more unruly costs. faced with.
Johansen's daughter Leah Hennessy took her to Instagram on Monday to share the sad news.
David Johansen's daughter Leah announced her cancer on Instagram. (Lea Hennessy/Instagram)
“David is a legend, but he is also my very real, very sick dad,” she wrote alongside his photo on her Instagram story. “I have a lot to say, but I think I'm posting a lot about this and I don't need to say it all right now. I'm doing it, but you love David and magic (sic). Then he brought him into the world.
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The rear also includes a link to Sweet Relief Musician Fund. The organization will help raise funds for musicians struggling with health issues.
His daughter explained on her website that Johansen had advanced cancer five years ago and had a brain tumor.
New York dolls Arthur Kane, Jerry Nolan, David Johansen, Sylvain Sylvan and Johnny Sanders. (Getty Images)
“We've had complications since then. He and my mother Mara are generally very private people, so he has never published a diagnosis, but our family is facing. We feel that we are now forced to share this due to an increasingly serious financial burden” website status.
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According to Leah, things got worse during Thanksgiving.
David Johansen's wife, Mara Hennessy and his daughter, Leah Hennessy, have helped him through his cancer fight. (Patrick McMullan via Jimi Celeste/Getty Images)
“What's worse, the day after Thanksgiving, David went down the stairs and broke his back in two places,” she wrote on the website.
Johansen has been undergoing surgery since then, but Leah said, “David is bedridden and incapacitated. Due to trauma, David's illness progresses exponentially, and his mother cared for him 24 hours a day. “He said.
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Aside from the New York dolls, Johansen is known for his alter ego, Buster Poindexter. In 1987, his song “Hot Hot Hot” was a Billboard hit.
