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Despite looking forward to the long-awaited Dawson\u2019s Creek<\/em> reunion, actor James Van Der Beek<\/a> has announced he won\u2019t be in attendance.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is the evening I\u2019d been looking forward to MOST since my angel Michelle Williams said she was putting it together, way back in January\u2026\u201d Van Der Beek, 48, wrote via Instagram<\/a> on Sunday, September 21, just one day before the reunion was scheduled to take place.<\/p>\n \u201cSo you can imagine how gutted I was when two stomach viruses conspired to knock me out of commission and keep me grounded at the worst possible moment,\u201d he continued. \u201cDespite every effort\u2026 I won\u2019t get to be there. I won\u2019t get to stand on that stage and thank every soul in the theater for showing up for me, and against cancer, when I needed it most.\u201d<\/p>\n OG stars Michelle Williams<\/strong>, Katie Holmes<\/strong> and Joshua Jackson<\/strong> teamed up with F Cancer for the reunion-turned-charity event, scheduled to be held in New York City on Monday, September 22. Former castmates Mary Beth Peil<\/strong>, John Wesley Shipp<\/strong>, Mary-Margaret Humes<\/strong>, Nina Repeta<\/strong>, Kerr Smith<\/strong>, Meredith Monroe<\/strong> and Busy Philipps<\/strong> are also scheduled to attend.<\/p>\n Dawson\u2019s Creek Reunion Tickets Sell Out in 12 Minutes<\/a><\/p>\n The event will include a live reading of the show\u2019s pilot to benefit the charity and Van Der Beek as he continues to battle stage 3 colorectal cancer<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cWe grew up in Capeside and that\u2019s a bond that will last a lifetime,\u201d Williams, who planned the event, said in a statement, referring to the iconic location of the hit WB series. \u201cWe wanted to gather around our dear friend James and remind him that we are all here. We always have been and we always will be. And I know the fans of Dawson\u2019s Creek<\/em> feel the same way.\u201d<\/p>\n The show\u2019s creator, Kevin Williamson, is also scheduled to attend.<\/p>\n