Erik Jensen, a star in The Walking Dead, has been diagnosed with stage four cancer and his wife has set up a GoFundMe to support his treatment.
Jensen, who portrayed Dr. Steven Edwards in the fifth season of The Walking Dead, and has also made appearances in popular shows like Mr. Robot and For Life, now faces a challenging health battle, just 18 months after surviving a brain aneurysm.
In response to their challenging circumstances, Jensen's wife Jessica Blank has initiated a GoFundMe campaign to alleviate the mounting healthcare costs.
She shared: "The cancer has metastasized to his liver, but Erik is young and strong (cutting a film during chemo, working full-time as a director and writer throughout) and his doctors have a shot at shrinking the tumors enough to do two very major surgeries and get them all out. He is incredibly resilient and strong; Erik is a survivor.
"We know he can make it through this, come out the other side, and continue to make great work and support his community for years to come. But Erik and his family are in for the fight of their lives, and they need your support."
Blank also highlighted the challenges they've faced in recent times, including Erik's brain aneurysm and this new cancer diagnosis, which have placed their family in a precarious financial situation.
They require substantial assistance to navigate the coming year, including financing cancer treatment, retaining their home, and ensuring stability for Erik's 13-year-old daughter, Sadie.
To overcome these financial hurdles, the family is aiming to raise $300,000. They've noted that they are at risk of losing their SAG-AFTRA-funded health insurance due to the ongoing actors' strike.
Blank explained: "The nonexistence of streaming residuals, and the fact that in a best case scenario, Erik may be recovering from major surgery during the exact earnings period to qualify for SAG insurance for 2025 – the family is facing a serious risk of losing their health insurance for 2025. It goes without saying that continued cancer treatment without insurance would bring financial ruin."
Despite the daunting diagnosis, Blank emphasized that stage four cancer is not a death sentence, and Erik is resolutely committed to maintaining a positive outlook and fighting for the recovery chance presented by his medical team. She added: "Erik and Jess are devoted to creating community and supporting that community- but this is a time when they need community support."
At the time of writing, the fundraiser has received $119,000 of its intended target.
We wish Jensen and his family all the best during this difficult time.
