Erik Jensen, best known for his role in the hit series ‘The Walking Dead,’ is facing a daunting battle as he has been diagnosed with stage four colorectal cancer. The 53-year-old actor’s family recently launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise $300,000 to cover the cost of his medical treatment and various expenses, expressing their concerns about the potential loss of his health insurance due to the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike.
The announcement of Erik Jensen’s diagnosis came from his wife, Jessica Blank, and other loved ones who are rallying behind him during this challenging time. In their heartfelt plea for support, they shared their fears about losing their health insurance, which has been provided through the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and occasionally the Writers Guild of America (WGA) for the past 23 years.
The statement on the GoFundMe page highlights the family’s predicament, stating, “Due to the strikes, the nonexistence of streaming residuals, and the fact that Erik may be recovering from major surgery during the earnings period to qualify for SAG insurance, they are facing a serious risk of losing their insurance.”
In addition to financial assistance for Erik’s treatment, the family is hoping that the donations will also help them maintain their home and provide some stability for their 13-year-old daughter, Sadie. Erik is described as a devoted father and husband, with Jessica being his partner in both art and life for over two decades. The family emphasized Erik’s unwavering commitment to creating art that serves the cause of healing, justice, and making the world a better place.
“He is one of the most hardworking, loving, truthful, and devoted people we know,” the family wrote. “He needs to help his daughter grow up. He needs to stick around for the beautiful community he and Jess have built. And he has a lot more art to make in the world.”
Despite the challenging diagnosis of metastatic cancer that has spread to his liver, Erik is being described as a resilient and strong individual. The family has faith in his ability to overcome this obstacle. They expressed optimism about Erik’s treatment, stating that his doctors have a shot at shrinking the tumors enough to perform two major surgeries and remove the cancer entirely.
“He is incredibly resilient and strong; Erik is a survivor,” the family further shared. “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.”
Erik Jensen’s recent health battle comes on the heels of surviving a brain aneurysm last year. The actor was at home when the aneurysm occurred, but with prompt medical attention, he managed to recover swiftly. Remarkably, just four weeks after the health scare, he returned to the stage for a performance, demonstrating his remarkable strength and determination.
Erik Jensen’s fight against stage four cancer and the financial challenges facing his family amid the SAG-AFTRA strike underscore the importance of community support during times of adversity. Those who have admired his work and dedication can contribute to the GoFundMe campaign, helping to ease the burden of medical expenses and supporting a beloved actor and his family during their time of need.
