Dawson’s Creek star James Van Der Beek is selling signed merch to help cover the costs of ‘expensive’ cancer treatment.
The 47-year-old actor, who is best known for playing Dawson Leery in the iconic teen drama from 1998 to 2003, revealed last month he had been diagnosed with colorectal cancer.
He has now dropped some memorabilia tied to 1999 film Varsity Blues, with autographed football jerseys available for $80, and unsigned versions for $40.
‘Excited to celebrate the 25th anniversary of #VarsityBlues with a limited edition #4 Moxon jersey — each one personally autographed by me,’ he wrote on Instagram.
‘100% of my net proceeds will go to families recovering from the financial burden of cancer (including my own 😇).’
As well as a series of snaps of him modelling the merch with a football in hand, James also shared the announcement on his Instagram Story, writing: ‘#CancerIsExpensive.’
Earlier in November, James revealed his cancer diagnosis in an interview with People magazine, as he revealed he’d noticed issues with his bowel movements last year.
‘I’d always associated cancer with age and with unhealthy, sedentary lifestyles. But I was in amazing cardiovascular shape. I tried to eat healthy — or as far as I knew it at the time,’ he reflected. ‘I thought maybe I needed to stop coffee.
‘Or maybe not put cream in the coffee. But when I cut that out and it didn’t improve, I thought, “All right, I better get this checked out.”
’He underwent a colonoscopy shortly after but wasn’t worried, and actually ‘felt really good coming out of anesthesia, that I’d finally done it.
‘Then the gastroenterologist said – in his most pleasant bedside manner – that it was cancer. I think I went into shock.’
Colorectal cancer starts in the colon or the rectum.
It is also known as advanced bowel cancer and means that cancer has spread outside the bowel to other parts of the body. Bowel cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in the UK.
James has six children with his wife, Kimberly (Picture: Alex Goodlett/Getty Images for Operation Smile)
Speaking publicly about his health for the first time, the TV star has assured fans that he’s remaining ‘optimistic’ as he deals ‘privately’ with his cancer.
James has been acting for decades and, aside from Dawson’s Creek, also played a fictional version of himself in Don’t Trust the B—- In Apartment 23, starred in CSI: Cyber as FBI agent Elijah Mundo, and as Matt Bromley in the first season of the FX drama Pose.
Away from the spotlight, he also shares six children with his wife, Kimberly: Olivia, Joshua, Annabel, Emilia, Gwendolyn, and Jeremiah.
Macmillan cancer support
If you or someone you care about has been diagnosed with cancer, Macmillan can offer support and information.
You can contact their helpline on 0808 808 00 00 (7 days a week from 8am to 8pm), use their webchat service, or visit their site for more information.
Star of huge 00s TV series selling merch to cover ‘expensive’ cancer costs
