Daniel Hettmann, once gracing the catwalks of Paris and rubbing shoulders with fashion legends like Karl Lagerfeld, now finds himself in a battle far beyond the glitz and glamour of modeling.
What started as a dream career has been repeatedly interrupted by a relentless enemy: blood cancer.
Early Stardom and a Fairytale Beginning
As a teenager, Daniel’s life seemed almost scripted for a storybook.
On a trip to Paris, a model scout spotted him, setting him on a path that would see him walk for top fashion houses such as Chanel, Givenchy, and Paul Smith, and star in an Armani TV commercial.
His first year in the industry felt like a whirlwind of excitement and opportunity.
A Sudden Turn at Age 22
But life took a dramatic and tragic turn at 22 when Daniel was diagnosed with blood cancer.
After intense treatment, he went into remission and appeared to have a normal life ahead.
By 2017, having relocated to London, he faced another health scare but was once again successfully treated and put into remission.
Cancer Returns and the NHS Barrier
Fast forward to 2024, Daniel began feeling unwell again. Tests confirmed that the cancer had returned.
He underwent a stem cell transplant, initially with promising results, but in October of 2025, he received the heartbreaking news: the cancer had relapsed.
Being originally from Germany, Daniel discovered a cruel twist of fate: under NHS rules, he is not eligible for a second stem cell transplant if his cancer relapses within a year of the previous procedure.
The system, while designed with strict guidelines, left him facing treatment costs running into tens of thousands of pounds.
Facing the News with Determination
Reflecting on the moment he learned the cancer had returned, Daniel described feeling anger for the first time.
“Until now I was just somebody who said, ‘ok, it is what it is,’” he said.
“That’s why I never stopped working. I always asked what the universe wanted to tell me.”
Despite the frustration, Daniel emphasized the importance of living fully, even in the face of adversity.
On the very day he learned of the relapse, he was scheduled to fly to Saudi Arabia to organise a fashion week. For three days, he admitted, he felt paralyzed with despair.
But soon, he boarded the plane and spent 10 days producing all the shows, impressing colleagues and proving his resilience.
Finding Hope in Family and Support
Daniel’s new stem cell donor will be his sister. While not a complete match, this has filled him with cautious optimism.
He is now raising funds on GoFundMe to cover the cost of the procedure, determined to fight for his life and maintain his spirit.
“It’s not like I’m waking up every day with a huge smile,” he said.
“But it’s really important my mind is in the right place. I owe it to myself and those I love.”
Taking It Day by Day
For Daniel, the journey isn’t just about medicine—it’s about mindset.
“It’s important to take it day by day, step by step,” he said. “Making every day miserable isn’t going to help.”
Even as he faces uncertainty, the former runway star continues to live with purpose, reminding us that courage isn’t just about fighting disease—it’s about living fully in spite of it.