Neither fame nor fortune will make you immune to cancer.
Actor James Van Der Beek, 47, knows this all too well.
Van Der Beek, best known for his titular role in television seriesDawson’s Creek” and his portrayal of backup quarterback Jonathan “Mox” Moxon in the 1999 pic, “Varsity Blues”, announced on social media that he was selling jerseys with the latter character’s last name in honor of the 25th anniversary of the film.
“Each personally signed by me,” he wrote in his Instagram caption.
JAMES VAN DER BEEK FORCED TO REVEAL CANCER DIAGNOSIS BEFORE PLANNED TIMELINE
James Van Der Beek and Jon Voight in a scene from the 1999 classic ‘Varsity Blues’. (Getty Images)
But he also said that any profits made from the merchandise would go to people affected by cancer, including himself. “100% of my net proceeds will go to families recovering from the financial burden of cancer (including my own),” he wrote.
A representative for Van Der Beek did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for more information about the distribution of proceeds.
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Three weeks ago, Van Der Beek announced that he had been diagnosed stage 3 colorectal cancer. In an attempt to undermine a tabloid that broke the story, Van Der Beek shared his diagnosis on social media.
“There’s no playbook for how to announce these things, but I was planning on talking about it in depth with People Magazine soon,” the ‘Dawson’s Creek’ heartthrob wrote on Instagram. “To raise awareness and tell my story on my own terms. But that plan had to change early this morning when I was told a tabloid was going to break the news.”
Van Der Beek wrote that he handled the matter “privately” and was “receiving treatment and dialing in” his “general health with more focus than ever before.”
James Van Der Beek showed off his “Varsity Blues” jersey on social media. (James Van Der Beek Instagram)
“It was quite an initiation, and I’ll tell you more when I’m ready. Apologies to all the people in my life I wish I had told myself. Nothing about this process has happened on my preferred timeline… But we roll with it, taking each surprise as a signpost, pointing us toward a greater destiny than we would have discovered without divine intervention.”
Van Der Beek, who shares six children with his wife Kimberly, told People that his views on cancer were distorted before his diagnosis.
“I always associated cancer with age and with an unhealthy, sedentary lifestyle. But I had great cardiovascular fitness. I tried to eat healthy – or as best I knew at the time,” he explained.
James Van Der Beek and his wife Kimberly share six children together. (James Van Der Beek Instagram)
But then his bowel movements changed noticeably – something Van Der Beek attributed unhealthy diet.
“I thought maybe I should give up coffee,” he said. “Or maybe not putting cream in the coffee. But when I cut that out and it didn’t improve, I thought, ‘Okay, I better get this checked out.'”
James Van Der Beek initially thought his cancer symptoms were due to a poor diet. (JC Olivera/Variety via Getty Images)
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After undergoing a colonoscopy When Van Der Beek heard of his diagnosis, he said he “went into shock.”
“This has been a crash course in controlling the mind, body and spirit,” he said. “I thought, ‘This is either going to take me out of the body or it’s going to teach me how to really live.’ in it.”
“The hardest part is there are so many unknowns with cancer,” he continued, choosing not to share his treatment plan or current health status. “You think, ‘How can I fix this? Does this heal me? Does this hurt me? Does this work? Will it come back?’ As someone who loves answers, not knowing is one of the hardest things.”
James Van Der Beek thanked all his supporters on Thanksgiving and acknowledged it had been “a difficult year” for him. (Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for WarnerMedia and AT&T)
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But Van Der Beek added that he is “cautiously optimistic” and has “a lot to live for.”
On Thanksgiving, he wrote on social media“It’s been a tough year… and I’m grateful for it. For the monumental life change that cancer has brought my way. For the gift of knowing what it feels like to have friends who are coming through in such a profound way . level, and in ways I could never have asked for had I not experienced it,” he said, adding that he was grateful for the support of his fans and family.
