James Van Der Beek sells ‘Dawson’s Creek’ mementos amid cancer battle

“Dawson’s Creek” alum James Van Der Beek is auctioning off some memorabilia from the ‘90s teen drama.

Van Der Beek, 48, starred as Dawson Leery on the WB series from 1998-2003. The actor is now selling several items from the show in Propstore’s Winter Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction to fund his ongoing battle with stage 3 colorectal cancer.

“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,” Van Der Beek wrote in a statement posted on the auction house’s website. “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 is parting with items including the necklace that Dawson gave to Joey Potter (Katie Holmes), Dawon’s flannel shirt, and Dawson’s white jumper sweater. The bidding for the necklace starts at £10,000, which is about $13,000.

Fans were quick to point out that Van Der Beek shouldn’t have to part with the mementos to afford potentially life-saving healthcare.

“Imagine being on one of the biggest teen shows of all time and having to still sell your personal belongings just to afford proper healthcare. Our healthcare system is so broken,” one person commented on The Hollywood Reporter’s Instagram post about the auction.

“How messed up is the healthcare system in this country? If he has to do this, how are regular people supposed to afford a fight against cancer? This makes me so mad,” another wrote.

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Van Der Beek was diagnosed with cancer in August 2023. While commemorating his 48th birthday in a March Instagram video, the actor said the disease has forced him to “look [his] own morality in the eye.”

“I came nose to nose with death,” Van Der Beek continued. “All of those definitions that I cared so deeply about were stripped from me. I was away for treatment so I could no longer be a husband who was helpful to my wife. I could no longer be a father who could pick up his kids and put them to bed and be there for them.”

Van Der Beek, who shares six children with wife Kimberly Brook, said his meditation practice helped him realize he’s worthy of love, even as a “too-skinny, weak guy alone in an apartment with cancer.”

“I am worthy of God’s love, simply because I exist. And if I’m worthy of God’s love, shouldn’t I be worthy of my own?” he said.

“Dawson’s Creek” is available to stream on Hulu.