The Walking Dead star Erik Jensen diagnosed with stage four cancer as family makes plea

Writer, director and actor, Erik Jensen, 53, has been diagnosed with stage four colorectal cancer.

The news comes just a year and a half after The Walking Dead star, who played Steven Edwards in season five of the hit TV show, “miraculously” survived a brain aneurysm. Erik’s diagnosis was confirmed by his wife of 21 years, Jessica Blank, who has launched a GoFundMe page to ask for support for the actor and his family as they face “the fight for their lives”.

The fundraiser page says Erik’s cancer has “metastasized to his liver” but added that the actor is “young and strong” and “his doctors have a shot at shrinking the tumours enough to do two very major surgeries and get them all out.” Jessica, who’s also an actor, writer and director, revealed the family have been struggling financially due to a “lack of streaming residuals” — which is one of the big issues SAG-AFTRA union members are currently striking to resolve.

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She’s asking for help raising $300,000 to cover his medical costs as well as to help the family, including Erik’s 13-year-old daughter, Sadie, maintain “stability” as he gets treatment. “Erik’s aneurysm, the double strikes and now this diagnosis have put their family in an extremely precarious financial position and they need a lot of help to make it through the next year, pay for treatment to fight his cancer, keep their home, and maintain some sort of stability for Sadie,” the fundraising page reads.

The family, who have had health insurance through the acting union for the past 23 years, are concerned the ongoing strikes, which have seen most of Hollywood shut down since the summer, put them at a “serious risk” of losing their insurance while Erik may be “recovering from major surgery”. Erik is described as a “devoted father” and “incredible husband” who has “spent decades committed to creating work in service of healing, justice, and making the world a better place,” on the fundraiser page.

His family added: “Stage IV is not a death sentence, Erik is determined to make it through this, and he’s working incredibly hard to stay positive and fight for the shot that his doctors know he has.” So far more than $118,000 in donations have been raised to support Erik, who’s also known for his roles in For Life and Mr Robot.

Fans, friends and colleagues have been leaving comments of support while donating. “I met Erik when I first got into casting and immediately fell in love with him, both as a person and an actor. Sending love and healing thoughts to him, Jessica and their daughter,” one person wrote.

Another added: “I loved working with Erik when he attended Apple Valley High School in Minnesota. Fabulous talent. Fantabulous human being. I’m very confident you’ll beat this, Erik. Only the best for you and your family.” Other members of The Walking Dead cast and crew have also shared their support on social media.

Jeffrey Dean Morgan, who played Negan on the show but never had a scene with Erik, said: “Never had the chance to work with Erik… until now anyway. Only have heard many things about what a great guy he is. I do know he and his could use some help…. Of any and all kind.”

Executive producer Scott Gimple also shared a link to the fundraiser as he wrote: “One of TWD’s own could use a little help. 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. If you want to send something his way.”

Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk