James Van Der Beek Sells Dawson's Creek Treasures During Colon Cancer Fight
James Van Der Beek's Nostalgic Auction to Support Cancer Treatment
James Van Der Beek, best known for his iconic role as Dawson Leery in the beloved teen drama Dawson’s Creek, is auctioning off a collection of cherished memorabilia from his career. The 48-year-old actor, who was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer last year, has decided to part with these items to help cover the costs of his expensive cancer treatments.
Van Der Beek shared that he feels nostalgic about letting go of these pieces, but he also sees it as the right time given the recent challenges in his life. He has teamed up with Propstore to sell items from his personal collection during their Winter Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction, which will be held from December 5–7.
Among the items up for grabs is the outfit he wore in the pilot episode of Dawson’s Creek, which is expected to sell for up to $4,000. Another highlight is the necklace Dawson gifted to Joey Potter (played by Katie Holmes) for prom, estimated to sell between $26,400 and $52,800.
Van Der Beek shared his thoughts on the auction:
"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."
While he admits to feeling some nostalgia, he finds comfort in knowing that the proceeds will support those who have supported his work over the years.
The auction includes wardrobe, props, and set pieces that highlight key moments from his career. All proceeds will go toward covering the expenses of his cancer treatment.
Other items for sale include his cleats and his West Coast Coyotes Hat from the 1999 film Varsity Blues. Interested bidders can register now, with live in-room bidding in London on December 6 and online bidding open globally until December 7, 2025.
Colorectal Cancer: A Growing Concern
Colorectal cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the U.S. among men and women combined. According to estimates by The American Cancer Society, 154,270 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with colon and rectal cancer in 2025, and 52,900 will die from the disease.
Van Der Beek has previously sold merchandise from Varsity Blues to help pay for his cancer treatments, as well as those of other patients. During the movie’s 25th anniversary year, he sold signed jerseys, which were made to look like the jersey worn by his character, Jonathan "Mox" Moxon.
On his Instagram page, he noted:
"100% of my net proceeds will go to families recovering from the financial burden of cancer (including my own)."
He also added the hashtag #cancerisexpensive, highlighting the high cost of treatment.
A Missed Reunion, But a Heartfelt Message
Recently, Van Der Beek missed out on a Dawson’s Creek reunion, as the cast came together for the first time in 22 years. He dropped out of the event just hours prior due to illness. Instead, he surprised fans with a pre-recorded virtual appearance.
In his message, he said:
"I have been looking forward to this night for months and months ever since my angel Michelle Williams said she was putting it together."
He expressed his disappointment at not being able to attend in person:
"I can't believe I'm not there. I can't believe I don't get to see my cast mates, my beautiful cast in person."
He also thanked everyone in attendance, saying:
"And just I want to stand on that stage and thank every single person in the theater for being here tonight. From the cast to the crew to everybody who's doing anything and has been so generous, and especially every single last one of you – you are the best fans in the world."
Van Der Beek’s wife, Kimberly, and their six children attended the event in support. The couple has daughters Olivia, 14, Annabel, 10, Emilia, 8, and Gwendolyn, 6, and sons Joshua, 12, and Jeremiah, 3.
A Legacy of Love and Support
Dawson’s Creek garnered several accolades during its run, including a Teen Choice Award in 2000 for TV - Choice Drama. The show followed the group from high school through college in the sleepy town of Capeside.
In November 2023, Van Der Beek revealed his stage three colorectal cancer diagnosis. At the time, he shared that he had been "privately dealing with this diagnosis and have been taking steps to resolve it with the support" from his loved ones.
During an interview on Today in July, he discussed his journey, sharing that he has made major lifestyle changes such as focusing on a healthier diet and doing yoga.
"The beauty of just taking things a little bit more slowly and prioritizing rest and really allowing that to be the job, I'm just on the journey," he said.
"It's a process. It'll probably be a process for the rest of my life."
