‘Walking Dead’ Actor Fighting Stage 4 Cancer

@ejensen123 via Instagram

In 2014, actor Erik Jensen was starring in the fifth season of the TV show “The Walking Dead.” He has acted in many other projects, including on stage and screen, and worked as a writer and director.

Now, Jensen is fighting for his life just one year after fighting for his life.

In 2022, Jensen survived a brain aneurysm. Now in 2023, Jensen is fighting Stage IV colorectal cancer. Jensen and his family remain hopeful of his chances of survival, but health isn’t their only concern.

Due to the SAG and WGA strikes and the possibility that Jensen might not be able to work because of his fight against cancer, he is at risk of losing his health insurance at a time when he needs health insurance more than ever before!

Jensen’s wife, Jessica Blank, has created a GoFundMe in which she announced her husband’s diagnosis and explained why they are currently in “an extremely precarious financial position.” She shared:

“Erik wants to work through as much of his treatment as possible, but they are facing massive medical costs (co-pays, treatments not covered by insurance) and all the additional expenses associated with intensive treatment. The family has gotten health insurance through SAG (and occasionally WGA) for the past 23 years. 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. Erik and Jess are devoted to creating community and supporting that community- but this is a time when they need community support.”

The fundraiser’s goal is $300,000 to help “make it through the next year, pay for treatment to fight his cancer, keep their home, and maintain some sort of stability for Sadie,” their 13-year-old daughter. As of publication, the fundraiser has raised close to $95,000.

Scott M. Gimble, the showrunner on “The Walking Dead,” shared the fundraiser on X (formerly Twitter) to raise awareness and support Jensen. He wrote, “Erik Jensen, who played Dr. Steven Edwards in S5 was just diagnosed with cancer, and it’s a time of great uncertainty for him and his family.”

And now, Gimble’s post is being retweeted.

All donations are appreciated by Jensen and his family. Spreading the word on social media is also highly encouraged and very appreciated. The fundraiser explains, “If you are able to contribute financially to help get their family through this- please do. If you have a wide social media following/fanbase who might contribute at your urging and are willing to post this, that would also help immensely.”