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Sam and Danni need your help. #TribeArts&Smith

$16,474 of $10,000 goal

Given by 160 generous donors in around 3 months

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Support for a young family with a 6-month-old who's daddy (36) has just been diagnosed with Stage 3C Germ Cell Cancer

Hamilton, Waikato

Sam and Danni should be heading into the holiday season enjoying their first Christmas as a family with their 6-month-old son, Leo.

Unfortunately, just three weeks ago, Sam thought he was dealing with gallstones. Instead, he was diagnosed with Stage 3C Germ Cell Cancer, which has caused tumors on distant lymph nodes and organs. He has been rushed into hospital to begin intense chemotherapy, leaving the family facing fear, uncertainty, and enormous pressure.

With Sam unable to work and Danni on maternity leave until February, financial stress is overwhelming. Mortgage payments, bills, hospital travel, and day-to-day costs are piling up at a time when their focus should be on Sam’s treatment and their little family.

We are reaching out for your help.

Our goal is to raise $10,000 to support Sam and Danni through the coming months — easing financial pressure so Sam can focus on healing, and their family can get through the holiday season with some breathing room.

Anything you can give — even the price of your Monday coffee — would make a meaningful difference. Every donation shows they are not walking this path alone.

If you’d like to help in other ways — freezer meals, snacks, care packages, or day-to-day support — please contact Lucy Hendry-Jefferies on 021 0235 2707, who is coordinating assistance.

Thank you for standing with Sam, Danni, and their little family during this incredibly difficult time. Your kindness truly matters.

#TribeArts&Smith

Lucy Hendry-Jefferies' involvement (page creator)

Danni (wife to Sam and mother to Leo) is my best friend. She is one of the most caring, compassionate and loving people you will ever meet. She is a blessing to world and deserves to be surrounded with support. She is simply an amazing human, mum and wife.

Use of funds

Day to day living costs, day care for Leo in 2026, travel expenses to and from hospital, wages for Sam while he is unable to work, treatment costs.

Latest update

The Complications of Cancer 29 January 2026

Posted by: Danielle Arts-Smith

Another month, another infection, and yet another lengthy hospital stay. This one, however, was much scarier than the last. As his immune system is so weakened from chemotherapy, Sam is extremely vulnerable to infections and even minor illnesses can become serious very quickly.

What began as a simple fever quickly escalated into a mysterious infection that severely affected Sam’s lungs. The resulting inflammation led to respiratory distress, but thankfully, his breathing was soon stabilized.

Countless tests later (including one called a "lung wash" - it's exactly what it sounds like) and the source of the infection remained a mystery. Thankfully, with the right combination of antibiotics, the infection subsided and Sam's breathing returned to normal.

After being given the all-clear, Sam has been able to rest at home for a few days before he heads back to hospital soon for his next round of chemotherapy.

Thanks to your incredibly generous donations, I have been able to defer returning to work so I can be there to support Sam in these very uncertain times. Above all else, you have given us the gift of time together as a family. This is time that we will never get back, and for that we will be forever grateful.

From the bottom of our hearts, we remain so deeply thankful for every message, every meal, every donation, and every share. Your kindness continues to carry us through more than you know 💜

Aroha nui,

Danni

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