Rock legend reveals stage four cancer diagnosis as family beg for help

His family have issued a heartbreaking plea

His diagnosis was shared by his stepdaughter, Leah Hennessey, after she set up a Sweet Relief fundraiser to help raise funds for her father's medical expenses.

She revealed that the 75-year-old music legend had been in "intensive treatment for stage 4 cancer for most of the past decade".

In 2020 the disease progressed as he developed a brain tumor.

Johansen's family had decided to keep his health struggles under wraps, and have only just decided to share the news due to the "severe financial burden" that have come with the cost of his care.

On top of all this, the singer unfortunately broke his back in two places just after Thanksgiving, undergoing successful surgery.

Leah wrote, however, that Johansen has been "bedridden and incapacitated".

She added: "Due to the trauma, David’s illness has progressed exponentially and my mother is caring for him around the clock.

"To continue his treatment and give him the best chance of recovery, David and Mara will need full time assistance. As hilarious and wise as David continues to be, he is physically debilitated and his care exceeds what we are capable of providing without specialized professional help."

Leah explained that, despite a long career in the industry, not being able to work in the last five years has had a notable financial impact.

She said: "Our most immediate needs are full time nursing, physical therapy and funding for day to day vital living expenses. With professional specialized care, we are hopeful that David can regain some mobility and independence."

The fundraiser showed photos of David with Leah and her mother Mara, along with a photo of the musician in the hospital.  

In a statement obtained by Rolling Stone, Johansen spoke about his battle.

He said: "We’ve been living with my illness for a long time, still having fun, seeing friends and family, carrying on, but this tumble the day after Thanksgiving really brought us to a whole new level of debilitation,' he explained. 

"This is the worst pain I’ve ever experienced in my entire life. I’ve never been one to ask for help, but this is an emergency. Thank you.' 

Johansen has enjoyed a very successful career with the New York Dolls and later as a solo act.

He also had a foray into acting with multiple credits to his name, including as the Ghost of Christmas Past in the 1988 Bill Murray-led dark comedy Scrooged. 

The fundraiser revealed that Johansen currently hosts The Mansion of Fun, a weekly radio show on SiriusXM.