Erik Jensen is facing a heartbreaking health battle.
The actor, who has appeared in various television shows including The Walking Dead, CSI and Alias, has been diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer, his family has shared in a GoFundMe.
"As many of you know, Erik is a deeply devoted father to 13-year-old Sadie, who's the light of his life," the page's description read, "an incredible husband to Jessica, his partner in art and life for the last 23 years; and a profoundly hardworking, generous artist who has spent decades committed to creating work in service of healing, justice, and making the world a better place."
Erik's family, who shared that his diagnosis comes nearly two years after he survived a brain aneurysm, also describes the 53-year-old as "one of the most hardworking, loving, truthful and devoted people" they know.
"He needs to help his daughter grow up," Jessica's statement continued. "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."
Though his cancer has metastasized to his liver, Erik's family remains optimistic.
"Erik is young and strong (cutting a film during chemo, working full-time as a director and writer throughout) and his doctors think they have a shot at shrinking the tumors enough to do two very major surgeries and get them all out," they explained. "He can make it through this. But Erik and his family are in for the fight of their lives, and they need your support."
Citing the impact of the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike, Jessica explained that their medical costs have skyrocketed and are at risk of losing their health insurance in the next coming years.
Fellow members of the TWD crew have since spoken out in support of the actor, including showrunner Scott Gimple.
"One of TWD's own could use a little help," he wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Oct 23 alongside the GoFundMe link. "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."
Jeffrey Dean Morgan, who joined in season six, also reshared the post, adding, "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."