A fundraiser for Dawson’s Creek star James Van Der Beek has surpassed $1million (over £700,000) after the actor died aged 48.
His family announced his death from bowel cancer on Wednesday, saying he faced his final days ‘with courage, faith and grace’.
A GoFundMe has since been set up to raise funds for the actor’s wife Kimberly, who he married in 2010, and their six children.
Over 22,000 donations have already been made towards the $1.3m goal, with numerous fans leaving words of support on the fundraiser.
The description on the donation page reads: ‘James Van Der Beek was a beloved husband, father, and friend who touched the lives of everyone around him.
‘Throughout his illness, the family faced not only emotional challenges but also significant financial strain as they did everything possible to support James and provide for his care.
‘In the wake of this loss, Kimberly and the children are facing an uncertain future. The costs of James’s medical care and the extended fight against cancer have left the family out of funds.
‘They are working hard to stay in their home and to ensure the children can continue their education and maintain some stability during this incredibly difficult time.’
The description goes on to note that the funds raised will go towards ‘essential living expenses, pay bills, and support the children’s education’ as the family looks to ‘rebuild their lives’ after their loss.
Prior to his death, the Dawson’s Creek star was understood to be selling his career memorabilia in order to fund his cancer treatment, including items from the 1999 film Varsity Blues and the close-knit teen drama.
This prompted fellow actor Paul Walter Hauser to launch his own fundraising effort on Cameo on Van Der Beek’s behalf in the weeks before his death.
Hauser raised over $14,000 on Cameo for his fellow actor’s medical expenses.
‘James Van Der Beek started selling his old stuff from his past acting jobs to pay for his colorectal cancer treatments, and it didn’t sit well with me,’ Hauser wrote on Instagram in January.
‘I am an actor and father of three children, and I want them inheriting my trinkets/wardrobe/memorabilia someday. I wouldn’t want to auction off a Stingray shirt or Marvel script to make ends meet for treatment.’
Following the actor’s death, Hauser shared he has raised half his goal of $20,000 through Cameo videos. Describing Van Der Beek as ‘one of the good guys’ in a tribute, he has said he plans to continue fundraising to support the late actor’s family.
‘Love you, James,’ Hauser wrote. ‘I know you’re in Heaven being pampered with love. The Van Der Beeks will be in our daily prayers and we’ll be drumming up some money to support your beautiful family. Thanks for the body of work and for being one of the good guys.’
What is colorectal cancer?
Otherwise known as bowel cancer in the UK, colorectal cancer starts in the large bowel (colon) and the back passage (rectum).
The patient’s treatment will depend on where in the bowel system the cancer starts.
According to Cancer Research, symptoms of bowel (colorectal) cancer can include:
- bleeding from your rectum or blood in your poo
- a change in your normal bowel habit
- a lump that your doctor can feel in your rectum or tummy
- a feeling of needing to poo, even after you just have
- losing weight when you haven’t been trying to
- pain in your abdomen or rectum
- tiredness and breathlessness caused by a lower than normal level of red blood cells
Van Der Beek’s co-stars on Dawson’s Creek, which ran for six seasons from 1998 until 2003, also reunited to help raise money for his cancer treatment in September.
The reunion event was organised in support of the US actor and the charity F Cancer and was attended by his former co-stars, including Michelle Williams, Katie Holmes and Joshua Jackson.
Van Der Beek had planned to be there but was too unwell to attend due to two stomach viruses.
His role was taken by Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda, who posted a picture of himself and Van Der Beek’s family from the night on Instagram and said his ‘whole heart’ was with them.
Celebrities including his Dawson’s Creek co-stars, as well as Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ben Stiller, Selma Blair, Alec Baldwin, Melissa Joan Hart, Christie Brinkley and Rosie O’Donnell, have paid tribute to the Varsity Blues actor on social media.
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