3 days ago
2
How James Van Der Beek Is Teaching Kids to Give Back
James Van Der Beek is sharing insight into his private health battle.
The Dawson's Creek alum has been diagnosed with colorectal cancer, he said in a statement to People November 3, while noting he's been "taking steps to resolve it, with the support of my incredible family."
“There’s reason for optimism," the 47-year-old added of his journey with colorectal cancer, which originates in the colon or rectum, "and I’m feeling good."
Indeed, James has been leaning on his loved ones during this time, including wife Kimberly Van Der Beek and their six kids: Olivia, 14, Joshua, 12, Annabel, 10, Emilia, 8, Gwendolyn, 6, and Jeremiah, 3.
In fact, the family of eight has celebrated many milestones together in recent weeks, including Jeremiah's birthday.
"Three years old today," James wrote on Instagram October 10 alongside photos of his youngest child. "We had no idea how much we needed you. But YOU did."
"You are once again," the Varsity Blues actor continued, "proof to us that kids come into this world with their own thing; their own essence, appetites, and personality, and you have never been shy about letting us know exactly who you are, and what you want. The ferocity of your desires is something new for us - even in a family of big personalities."
James also noted that Jeremiah has an inherent sweetness to him.
"You always want to help," he wrote, "and I’m constantly amazed by your emotional intelligence, and what you are able to comprehend and anticipate."
"Thank you for barging your way into our lives," James concluded. "Thank you for all the unique ways in which you challenge me (quite the feat after five kids), and thank you for being the best snuggler on the planet. We love you bubs. Beyond grateful to have those ringlets in my life and to get to be your dad."
Instagram / James Van Der Beek
As James previously explained, having six kids means that it can be tough for him and Kimberly to have a date night.
"It takes a lot of organization, I will say that," he told E! News in November 2022. "Right now, it's kind of a quick coffee shop or even an errand run. Honestly we've had some of our favorite afternoons on errand runs together."
As James continues to navigate this chapter, keep reading for more celebs who've shared their cancer journeys.
Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images
Jim Beaver
The actor, known for roles in The Boys and Supernatural, shared on Feb. 3, 2023, that he had battled prostate cancer for years and was cancer free.
Tommy Garcia/Bravo
Ariana Madix
"I had to have a lil bit o'cancer removed from my body and lymph nodes biopsied," the Vanderpump Rules star revealed to fans at the close of 2018. "(In the clear now!)"
Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic
Marcia Cross
The Desperate Housewives star revealed to fans in September 2018 that she survived anal cancer. "After posting a picture of myself here and uttering the words #cancer and #hairloss, I feel liberated, deliriously free and completely me," she shared on Instagram.
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
Dustin Hoffman
The two-time Oscar winner underwent successful treatment for cancer, and his rep confirmed to E! News that doctors deemed Hoffman "surgically cured."
J.H. SAUNDERS/Landov
Hugh Jackman
The X-Men star was treated for his third basal cell carcinoma back in 2014, and after his third treatment, Jackman's rep told E! News that he's "all good" now.
In April 2023, Hugh had two biopsies for additional basal cell carcinoma. At the time, he told fans, "If I can just take this opportunity to remind you summer is coming for those of us in the northern hemisphere, please wear sunscreen."
Adam Olszweski/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank
Camille Grammer
The former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star celebrated one year of being cancer-free in January. The mother of two was diagnosed with endometrial cancer back in 2013 and underwent a radical hysterectomy.
Then in 2017, Camille had surgery to remove Squamous Cell Carcinoma, a type of skin cancer.
Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
Cobie Smulders
The Avengers: Age of Ultron actress battled ovarian cancer at the age of 25 and overcome odds when she welcomed two children with husband Taran Killam.
Michael Buckner/Getty Images
Dr. Drew Pinsky
TV host reveals he underwent surgery for prostate cancer in July 2013 and has since been given a clean bill of health.
Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images
Brooke Burke
The Dancing with the Stars cohost underwent successful surgery for thyroid cancer. The mother of four tweeted, "Thx for all the twitter love. I'm [home] recovering & resting."
Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images
Angie Everhart
"MY DR CALLED ME ON A SAT. MORNING TO TELL ME I AM CANCER FREE!!!!! #wootothemotherf--kinhoo," the actress tweeted after receiving the good news.
Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Christina Applegate
The Up All Night star was declared "100-percent clear" of breast cancer after treatment and a double mastectomy.
Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images
Michael C. Hall
The Dexter star used a hiatus from his hit series to slay Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Michael Loccisano/Getty Images
Michelle Monaghan
The Australian actress revealed in October 2011 that she had a cancerous mole removed from her calf after her hubby encouraged her to get the suspicious-looking mark checked out.
Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney
Ewan McGregor
The Scot is trainspotting just fine these days after having a cancerous mole removed from beneath his right eye.
Brad Barket/Getty Images for Happy Hearts Fund
Sheryl Crow
The singer beat breast cancer in 2004 with a "minimally invasive" lumpectomy and radiation therapy.
Grant Lamos IV/Getty Images
Michael Douglas
The Oscar winner declared in early 2011 that his tumor was gone and he had throat cancer "beat."
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
Edie Falco
The Emmy winner whacked breast cancer in 2004.
Doug Meszler / Splash News
Anderson Cooper
Surely the CNN veteran wears his SPF when he's braving the elements now after having a cancerous growth removed from under his left eye in 2008.
Alberto E. Rodriguez/WireImage
Kylie Minogue
The Australian pop star underwent successful surgery for breast cancer in 2005.
Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images
Barry Watson
The 7th Heaven star was diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease when he was only 28. He's 37 now and looking good!
Jason Merritt/Getty Images
Maura Tierney
The ER fave had to abandon her role in Parenthood to fight breast cancer in 2009—but her treatment was a success and she was back on the red carpet in no time.
CBS
Sharon Osbourne
The America's Got Talent judge was diagnosed with colon cancer while shooting The Osbournes in 2002 and used the opportunity to stress the importance of regular screenings while attacking the #@%! with chemotherapy. She was declared cancer-free the following year.
Jemal Countess/Getty Images for the 2014 Tribeca Film Festival
Robert De Niro
The Oscar winner took prostate cancer down, down to Chinatown, in 2003, and has been in about 400 movies since then.
Jason Merritt/Getty Images
Robin Roberts
The Good Morning America cohost proudly flaunted her smooth scalp while undergoing chemotherapy to treat breast cancer in 2007.
Robert Laberge/Getty Images
Lance Armstrong
The champion cyclist battled back from stage-four testicular cancer before winning seven straight Tour de France titles.
Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP
Melissa Etheridge
The Grammy and Oscar winner became an inspiring activist after a lumpectomy and chemotherapy cleared her of breast cancer in 2005.
Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images for LA Times
Julia Sweeney
The former Saturday Night Live standout mined her breast cancer battle for comedic material that turned into God Said Ha!, her successful one-woman show that eventually went to Broadway.
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images
Cynthia Nixon
The Sex and the City star was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006, and after surgery and radiation treatments, she was given the clear.
Mike FANOUS/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
Samantha Harris
Harris underwent a double mastectomy after being diagnosed with breast cancer.
Jason Kempin/Getty Images
Sarah Paulson
The Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip star sports a scar on her back where doctors successfully removed a melanoma.
:quality(85):upscale()/2023/11/02/731/n/1922729/5b5445f96543cf5c21d629.18264167_.jpg)
English (US) ·