What James Van Der Beek Learned About ‘Unconditional Love’ Through Cancer Battle
Movieguide® Contributor
DAWSON’S CREEK actor James Van Der Beek teared up when giving an update about his health on GOOD MORNING AMERICA.
His wife, Kimberley, has been a pillar of support for him through his treatment with stage 3 colorectal cancer.
“She’s been amazing,” he said with tears in his eyes. “She’s really taught me what unconditional love is.”
“I’m someone who has always in the past tried to do everything for everybody and never asked for help myself and this has put me in a position of having to ask for help but having to receive help,” he shared. “And the beautiful blessing of that has been seeing how many people in my life have shown up.”
The cancer, which he first found out about in Aug. 2023, is taking more of an emotional toll on him than a physical one.
“Physically, I’m great. I’m feeling really good. Emotionally, you know, it’s a lot. It’s really a ride,” he said.
Of learning his diagnosis he said, “I was honestly in shock…I had a whole agenda for what I thought my year would be and what I thought my priorities would be…and the reality that all of that was going to change and take a different trajectory — it felt like a nightmare honestly at first.”
READ MORE: JAMES VAN DER BEEK REVEALS CANCER DIAGNOSIS
Though most might have looked at the glass as half empty after hearing that kind of diagnosis, Van Der Beek began to see it positively.
He said, “As soon as I got diagnosed, I knew this is going to add many happy years to my life.”
“I’m going to make changes that I never would have made otherwise, that I’m gonna look back on thirty years and say, ‘Thank God this happened.’ So what can I do right now in order to make that the case?” he said. “And that’s how it was about 90% of the time. I would say that about 10% of the time I was a sobbing, terrified mess.”
The actor believes there’s a “purpose” in his sickness as he spreads awareness for colorectal cancer.
Colorectal cancer is the fourth most common kind of cancer in the U.S. The American Cancer Society reported this year that it’s among 17 kinds of cancers that Gen X and millennials are particularly susceptible to.
Van Der Beek told PEOPLE earlier last month, “I’ve been privately dealing with this diagnosis and have been taking steps to resolve it, with the support of my incredible family. There’s reason for optimism, and I’m feeling good.”
On Thanksgiving, Van Der Beek shared a photo of himself with his wife and their six young kids. He captioned it:
“It’s been a tough year… and I’m thankful for all of it. For the giant life re-direct cancer has placed in my path. For the gift of knowing what it feels like to have friends come through on such a profound level, and in ways I never would have been able to ask for had I not been going through it.
I’m grateful for this new relationship I have to my body, and what I feed it.
I’m grateful to each and every one of you who has reached out and sent good vibes and prayers. It all lands and makes a difference.
And I’m more grateful than ever to my super human wife who has shown up on levels I never knew possible. Who has shown me what unconditional love is and the magic that comes from that. I am in awe of you, @vanderkimberly.
And of course, I’m beyond thankful the little blond army of hearts who keep me present, active, and inspired just by being you. I love you guys beyond.
#happythanksgivng everybody!
READ MORE: ‘SO PROUD’: JAMES VAN DER BEEK CELEBRATES DAUGHTER’S FIRST TV APPEARANCE
