Mission to make memories as Hamilton dad’s cancer turns terminal

Wednesday, 10 June 2026

After months of unsuccessful cancer treatment, family and friends are rallying to help Sam Smith make the most of the time he has left.

Amid “planning for a future you don’t want to plan for,” the idea is to give the Hamilton dad, and his wife and baby son, some bright spots to savour.

Danni Arts-Smith said they essentially had a bucket list, and wanted to make memories for Leo — who had just turned one — to look back on.

When the the 36-year-old web designer was diagnosed with testicular cancer last Christmas, it seemed like a challenge to overcome, but treatment since then hadn’t worked as expected.

It was now uncertain if the family of three would have another Christmas together, Danni says they’ve been told Sam “might have a few months”.

They visited Auckland’s Museum of Transport and Technology in May, and up next was a tour of Hamilton Zoo and a trip to Hobbiton.

The zoo had offered them a special visit, and while Danni didn’t know exactly what was planned, they had asked which animals were Sam’s favourites.

“He really likes red pandas, but he just loves all animals as well.'

There were other things Sam wanted to do, but it was hard to plan because of his hospital visits and overall health. He was recently hospitalised with Covid-19, and doctors wanted him to take time at home to recover.

Their new reality was hard to come to terms with, Danni said.

“Its just really hard planning for a future you don't want to plan for. Having to make those hard decisions now, it's been really difficult.”

Sam’s cancer diagnosis came out of the blue last December. While serious, his prognosis was initially fairly positive. Testicular cancer was one of the most common types of cancer for men his age, and it was curable “about 95% of the time.”

However, the disease hadn’t responded to treatment as expected — his case and the location of his tumours were quite rare, Danni said.

The cancer was in his abdomen, liver, lymph nodes and oesophagus. The tumours in his liver continued to grow despite chemotherapy, and about a month ago the goal shifted to treating symptoms rather than curing the disease.

Sam was now being tested as part of a research programme that might shed more light on his condition. This could pick up genetic factors for Leo to be aware of, and would help determine if a chemotherapy pill could slow the growth of the cancer.

The couple’s Givealittle page had raised $28,805 as of Tuesday, which would ease the pressure of living costs, help create special memories, and ultimately help with funeral expenses.

“It's a village extending and people coming together for us. We're both very, very grateful and overwhelmed by how everyone's come together,” Danni said.

Family friend Lucy Hendry-Jefferies said the couple were having to think of wills and things no one expected to be doing in their mid-thirties.

“I've been trying to make some lasting memories for them, and especially for Leo as well, so that when Danni thinks back on this time, it's not just going to be all the negative stuff, all the cancer, and the stress of what that's caused them. [They will] actually have some really lovely moments to look back on as a family of three.”

She had contacted several businesses, with some success. For example, the Lawrenson Group had offered to put on a dinner, and Hamilton Zoo was offering a behind-the-scenes experience.

Sam got tired easily, but the zoo had mobility scooters — while they could travel roughly between Auckland and Taupō, they had to factor this in.

“I want to just see if we can arrange little activities for them that don't tire Sam out, but give him the opportunity to be with friends and family.”