James Van Der Beek Is Getting $20,000 Help Amid Cancer Battle

James Van Der Beek is not going through his health struggles alone!

The actor is enjoying goodwill from his colleague Paul Walter Hauser, who is partnering with an organization to raise funds for his cancer treatment, shortly after he auctioned off some sentimental items to sort out health bills.

James Van Der Beek shared that he was diagnosed with Stage 3 colorectal cancer in 2024 and has shown enviable strength in the face of his health travails.

Hauser revealed that he is teaming up with Cameo to help pull resources together for Van Der Beek's cancer treatment. In his post on Instagram, the actor explained that Van Der Beek had to sell stuff from his old acting jobs to pay for his cancer treatments, which was not a pleasant thing for him to hear.

"I am an actor and father of 3 children, and I want them to inherit my trinkets/wardrobe/memorabilia someday. I wouldn't want to auction off a Stingray shirt or Marvel script to make ends meet for treatment," Hauser continued.

The actor encouraged fans and concerned people to repost his content and give his post necessary publicity because he aims "to raise 20k by March 1st through recorded Cameo videos." 

Hauser will then do an auction of celebrity friends' personal items belonging to Jimmy Kimmel, Becky Lynch, Josh Gad, and others to continue in support of the star, "who has rolled a painful pair of dice these last couple of years."

Hauser swiftly informed "internet trolls" who would "wipe their saliva and attack their keyboards to question" why he chose to raise money for this and not some other project they think deserves time, effort, and funding.

The actor declared that this is not his first time fundraising, as he has done stand-up comedy for Relay for Life's Cancer Charity Walk.

"I've donated my own earnings to organizations like Smile Train and Neighborly and recently helped raise over $100,000 for ServeLA through my appearance on Celebrity Wheel of Fortune," the media personality added.

He continued that he decided to release this crucial info as a means to arm himself with receipts and proof of how committed he is to ensure Van Der Beek gets quality treatment.

Hauser added that he has always liked the actor because he seemed like a good person and would need all the help and prayers he can get in such a difficult moment. 

The 'Dawson's Creek' actor announced last November that he would let some treasured items from his past movie appearances go in exchange for a substantial amount of money, which would go into his cancer treatment.

As noted by The Blast, Van Der Beek affirmed that he has been storing the treasured items for years and waiting for the right time to do something for them. The actor felt the time was right to part ways with those items following the twists and turns life placed in his path.

"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," the media personality continued.

The inventory included the necklace that Van Der Beek's character, Dawson, gifted Joey for prom in "Dawson's Creek."

He also planned to sell off Dawson's flannel shirt, which he wore in several episodes of the show, alongside memorabilia from Varsity Blues like Van Der Beek's game-worn cleats and his West Canaan Coyotes hat.

Van Der Beek could not make it to the stage during the 22nd anniversary of "Dawson's Creek," which was marked with a reunion show by the cast. The Blast noted that the actor was billed to join the iconic lineup until a medical emergency got in the way.

Since his cancer diagnosis, Van Der Beek has looked forward to a change of scenery and existing in a space where he would feel loved, and the reunion program provided that. The actor was disappointed in his ability to grace the stage, but his wife and kids were determined to make his day.

The actor's wife and their six children swiftly took over the stage as two of his daughters belted tunes from Paula Cole's "I Don't Wanna Wait," which was relished by viewers when the show aired decades ago.

Van Der Beek clinched the career-defining role at the age of 20 and starred in the show between 1998 and 2003. His role as Dawson Leery in the series set the stage for his subsequent appearance in several teen-centric movies like "Texas Rangers" and "The Rules of Attraction."

Late last year, the actor took to social media to make an announcement about the sale of some signed and unsigned "Varsity Blues" jerseys, which earned attention from fans in the comments, including his wife, Kimberly.

The actor's wife had praised his energized appearance, affirming that he looks very good. In her words: "You're a wizard. Bouncing back, baby!!"

Van Der Beek himself lived up to Kimberly's hype as he looked physically better while smiling in the video where he wore a white jersey designed with blue details to match his character's outfit from "Varsity Blues."

The actor then thanked his fans for their show of love so far, since he shared the news of his diagnosis and also released the first set of Blues jerseys in 2024.

Van Der Beek assured his fans that all the proceeds from the jersey sales would go into treatment for his colorectal cancer and would also be donated to families battling the same illness.

Kudos to Paul Walter Hauser for throwing his weight behind James Van Der Beek!