James Van Der Beek is seeking additional funds to cover the costs of his cancer treatment. The 48-year-old “Dawson’s Creek” star has chosen to work with a prop store to sell memorabilia acquired throughout his career.
The catalog includes wardrobes, props and set pieces, including the prom necklace that Van Der Beek’s character Dawson gave Joey (Katie Holmes) for prom in “Dawson’s Creek,” and the spikes and West Canaan Coyote hat worn by Van Der Beek in the 1999 feature film “Varsity Blues.”
“I’ve been storing these treasures for years, waiting for the right time to do something with them, and given life’s recent unexpected twists and turns, it’s clear that now is the time,” Van Der Beek told People. “There is a sense of nostalgia when I part with these items, but I am happy to be able to offer them through the Prop Store auction and share them with those who have supported my work over the years.”
These items will be sold through Prop Store’s annual Winter Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction from December 5th to December 7th. All proceeds will go towards Van Der Beek’s medical expenses.
Van der Beek was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer last year. Colorectal cancer, which starts in the colon or rectum, is the third most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society. In the United States, approximately 1 in 23 men and 1 in 25 women will be diagnosed with this type of cancer during their lifetime.
“I have personally dealt with this diagnosis and, with the support of my wonderful family, have taken steps to resolve it,” van der Beek told People magazine when she went public with her diagnosis. “There is reason for optimism and I feel good.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, colorectal cancer is the second most expensive to treat of all cancers. More than $24.3 billion was spent on treatment in the United States in 2020, accounting for 11.3% of the country’s cancer treatment costs.
