James Van Der Beek’s wife didn’t want to wait to share this positive update.
On Monday, the “Dawson’s Creek” alum, 48, took to social media to thank fans for raising money for his cancer treatments amid his battle with stage 3 colorectal cancer.
Kimberly Van Der Beek, meanwhile, left an encouraging message beneath the footage.
“You’re a wizard. Bouncing back baby!! 😍😍😍,” she sweetly penned.
In the clip, Van Der Beek tossed a football while sporting his iconic “Varsity Blues” jersey with his character’s name, Moxon, on the back.
The actor is now giving fans the chance to score the autographed jersey from the 1999 sports film.
The signed jerseys are going for $80 while unsigned jerseys are selling for $40. After Van Der Beek announced his cancer diagnosis is November 2024, he sold similar items.
“By popular demand! My favorite jersey. Maybe it was all fun plays we got run in the football sequences for the away games… but I always loved putting on the varsity whites,” the “Mrs. Miracle” star captioned his post. “Last year when I released the Blues jersey, I was blown away by the love and support I received from all of you. It has meant more than I can ever express.”
“I hope you enjoy this one as much as the original,” Van Der Beek continued. “For me, every jersey I sign is a magical full-circle moment.”
“Thank you — for the love, the prayers, the support, and for making this jersey mean something far bigger than a movie. Endlessly grateful for all of you.”
Not only will the funds aid Van Der Beek, but it will help “with treatment and supporting families walking the same path.”
“🏈💙 Limited quantities — link in bio,” he concluded. “Promise I’ll get the signed ones turned around quicker this time #varistyblues.”
Along with the jerseys, Van Der Beek is parting ways with “Dawson’s Creek” memorabilia.
The actor starred on the beloved teen drama for six seasons from 1998 to 2003.
According to People, Van Der Beek is teaming up with Propstore so fans can partake in the Winter Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction from Dec. 5 to Dec. 7.
All proceeds support the ’90s heartthrob in his cancer journey.
One item included in the auction is the necklace Dawson (Van Der Beek) gifted Joey (Katie Holmes) for prom, which is said to cost between $26,400 to $52,800.
Dawson’s outfit from the show’s 1998 pilot episode, which is worth around $4,000, is also up for grabs.
“I’ve been storing these treasures for years, waiting for the right time to do something with them, and with all of the recent unexpected twists and turns life has presented recently, it’s clear that the time is now,” the actor told the outlet.
“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.”
Van Der Beek’s former co-stars have continued to rally around him amid his health battle.
In September, the cast appeared at Richard Rodgers Theatre in New York City for a live table reading of the pilot episode. The event benefitted F Cancer and Van Der Beek.
Unfortunately, Van Der Beek had to miss the “Dawson’s Creek” reunion due to a stomach illness.
“This is the evening I’d been looking forward to MOST since my angel Michelle Williams said she was putting it together, way back in January,” he wrote on Instagram at the time. “So you can imagine how gutted I was when two stomach viruses conspired to knock me out of commission and keep me grounded at the worst possible moment.”
“Despite every effort… I won’t get to be there,” Van Der Beek continued. “I won’t get to stand on that stage and thank every soul in the theater for showing up for me, and against cancer, when I needed it most.”
The special night included Holmes, Michelle Williams, Busy Philipps, Joshua Jackson, Mary Beth Peil, John Wesley Shipp, Mary-Margaret Humes, Nina Repeta, Kerr Smith, and Meredith Monroe.
“Hamilton” star Lin-Manuel Miranda took Van Der Beek’s place in the table read.
Van Der Beek did, however, leave a recorded video message for fans. His wife, Kimberly, 43, was also at the event alongside the couple’s children: daughters Olivia, Annabel, Emilia and Gwendolyn, and sons Joshua and Jeremiah.
Van Der Beek’s family joined the cast onstage to sing the show’s theme song, “I Don’t Want To Wait,” by Paula Cole.
The “Castle in the Sky” actor first revealed his diagnosis in a statement to People.
“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,” he said.
“There’s reason for optimism, and I’m feeling good,” Van Der Beek added.
In July, he told Today.com that it feels like a “full-time job” and that “it’ll probably be a process for the rest of my life.”
“I was healthy,” Van Der Beek told Healthline in August. “I was doing the cold plunge. I was in amazing cardiovascular shape, and I had Stage 3 cancer, and I had no idea.”
The actor also ignored an early red flag: a change in his bowel movements.
“I thought maybe I needed to stop drinking coffee,” he told People last year. “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.’”
