Dawson’s Creek star James Van Der Beek is selling some of his most treasured belongings to help pay for treatment after being diagnosed with stage three colorectal cancer
James Van Der Beek is auctioning off some of his treasured TV memorabilia to help raise money for his cancer treatment. The 48-year-old, who has six children with wife Kimberly, revealed he had been diagnosed with stage three colorectal (bowel) cancer last year.
In a bid to pay for his expensive treatment, the actor – who is most famous for starring in the beloved teen drama from 1998 to 2003 – has teamed up with Propstore to sell off some of the cherished items from his personal collection.
Dawson’s Creek fans will have the chance to own the outfit he wore in the very first episode, which is expected to sell for up to £3,000. They can also get their hands on the necklace Dawson gave on-screen girlfriend Joey (played by Katie Holmes) for prom, which could raise as much as £40,000.
Other items up for sale include the shoes and West Caana Coyotes Hat that James wore when he starred in the hit 1999 teen comedy Varsity Blues. Fans will get chance to bid on the items at the Winter Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction, which will be held in London. Those interested can register now and online bids will take place from December 6.
READ MORE: Bowel cancer symptoms to watch out for as Dawson Creek’s James Van Der Beek diagnosed
James told PEOPLE magazine: “I’ve been storing these treasures for years, waiting for the right time to do something with them. With all of the recent unexpected twists and turns life has presented recently, it’s clear that the time is now.”
He added: “While I have some nostalgia tugging at me as I part with these items, it feels good to be able to offer them through Propstore’s auction to share with those who have supported my work over the years.”
Just over a year ago, the actor shared the devastating news he had been diagnosed with cancer. Though he received his diagnosis in 2023, he didn’t share the news straight away, instead preferring to deal with it privately.
At the time he shared: “I have colorectal cancer. I’ve been privately dealing with this diagnosis and have been taking steps to resolve it, with the support of my incredible family.” Sharing his upbeat approach to his health, he added: “There’s reason for optimism, and I’m feeling good.”
In March this year, James reflected on how it had been “the hardest year of my life”. In a heartfelt post on Instagram, he expressed his confrontation with mortality as he said: “I had to come nose to nose with death. And all those definitions that I cared so deeply about were stripped from me.”
Continuing his candid revelation shared what cancer had stopped him doing: “I could no longer be a husband who was helpful to my wife. I could no longer be a father who could pick up his kids and put them to bed and be there for them,” he wrote. “I could not be a provider because I wasn’t working. I couldn’t even be a steward of the land because at times I was too weak to prune all the trees during the window that you’re supposed to prune them.”
In an interview on Good Morning America, James said: “Physically, I’m great. I’m feeling really good. Emotionally, you know, it’s a lot. It’s really a ride… I was honestly in shock [after the diagnosis] I had a whole agenda for what I thought my year would be and what I thought my priorities would be… and the reality that all of that was going to change and take a different trajectory – it felt like a nightmare honestly at first.”
James then expressed his gratitude that his cancer was detected early, giving him a strong chance of recovery. He continued: “I’m going to make changes that I never would have made otherwise, that I’m gonna look back on 30 years and say: ‘Thank God this happened'”.
Colorectal cancer is a term for bowel cancer, which can form and grow in the large bowel, which includes the colon and rectum. The disease is one of the most common types of cancer in the UK, but can be detected through bowel cancer screening and, if caught early, is one of the easiest forms of cancer to treat.
The NHS records symptoms to watch out for are changes in your poo, such as having softer poo, diarrhoea or constipation that is not usual for you, blood in your poo which could look red or black, a sensation of needing to poo even if you’ve just been to the toilet – and other symptoms including tummy pain, bloating and unexpected weight loss.
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