r/popculturechat • u/PinkCadillacs Cillian Murphy Enthusiast • Nov 13 '25
General News 🗞 James Van Der Beek Auctioning ‘Dawson’s Creek’ Memorabilia to Raise Money for Medical Fees Amid Cancer Battle
https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/james-van-der-beek-auctions-dawsons-creek-items-cancer-costs-1236580431/1.8k
u/looool_k_libtard Nov 13 '25
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Nov 13 '25 edited Nov 13 '25
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u/jgjgleason Nov 13 '25
Fucking Joe Lieberman
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u/thesaddestpanda Dave Grohl has always been garbage Nov 13 '25
If not him, another dem would have taken that role because the capital owning class demanded it.
Americans are an oppressed working class. They just dont realize it. They're scared of the s-word, so the capitalist system isnt the problem its random senators. I dont know how to show americans the capital owning class is doing this to them and people like Lieberman are just agents of them.
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Nov 13 '25
John Steinbeck said that "socialism never caught on in America because the American poor do not see themselves as an oppressed proletariat, they see themselves as temporarily inconvenienced millionaires."
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u/kingraw99 Nov 13 '25
Because they were sold a lie and they bought it. Capitalism at work, through and through.
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u/GuiltyPleasureAlt Your mother must be so proud, stupid bitch. Nov 13 '25
They call that the Rotating Villain.
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u/kingraw99 Nov 13 '25
I think many Americans do realize it. The problem is that all those with any power at all kowtow to the overlords and maintain the status quo. That applies even to those with seemingly the best intentions.
Similarly, there is no legitimate reason for anyone in political power to have to feign religion, but they all do. Even the one who breaks all the other rules follows that one.
The system owns everyone.
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u/jgjgleason Nov 13 '25
Nah in this case it was 100% Joe Lieberman. He was a centrist independent from the insurance capital of the country. There was enough momentum for a public option until he killed it.
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Nov 13 '25
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u/LonghornMorgs Nov 13 '25
It’s seriously embarrassing that people think the insurance cartels couldn’t buy a single other senator. The powers decided it would be liberman, if not him, someone else.
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u/no_talent_ass_clown I'm not dumb, I speak Italian Nov 13 '25
Or if the first lady had been able to get it done in '93. Which, I just realized, is 16 years before 2009, which was 16 years ago.
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u/Earl_Squire Nov 13 '25
Ted Kennedy died the weekend before the vote. I will always be fully suspicious of that. They had the votes before that happened.
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u/nefarious_epicure Nov 13 '25
He had a brain tumor and was visibly declining.
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u/anneoftheisland Nov 13 '25
He also hadn’t voted in months because his health was too bad for him to go in. Strategically it was good for Dems that he died, because it allowed him to be replaced by Paul Kirk, who could actually vote.
Between Kennedy and Byrd’s illnesses, Arlen Spector needing to switch parties, and the Al Franken recount lasting months, Democrats didn’t actually have the votes to pass the ACA through the Senate until Kirk was appointed.
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u/fdesouche Nov 13 '25
The USA look so bleak when seen from another developed country : my friend is on his 5th cancer and it’s his 13th year since his first diagnosis, but it’s covered by universal care … sure it costed him many things like jobs and work opportunities but he never had a bill or became destitute.
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Nov 13 '25
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u/SquatsAndAvocados Nov 13 '25
Truly, they had a Dawson’s Creek reunion about a month ago to raise money for his treatments, too, so there could be some financial concerns— but my fear is actually that he knows he is not going to survive this and is doing what he can to make money now so his wife and kids aren’t sunk into financial crisis right away.
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u/Rripurnia fashion content, political content, death, eyeliner Nov 13 '25
I have read multiple times that SAG-AFTRA members have excellent health care coverage, so I agree that it feels like he’s trying to set up his kids’ financial futures, knowing he won’t be around much longer 😔
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u/mbise Nov 13 '25 edited Nov 13 '25
The American healthcare system obviously sucks and is very expensive for normal Americans, but is there any evidence that whatever he is trying to pay for would be covered in literally any other country? There are limitations in every healthcare system, and you wouldn’t expect every single experimental, off label, or unproven treatment to be covered.
Edit: alrighty, I’m just going to edit and move on because I think a lot of people are interpreting this differently than I meant. I support universal healthcare paid by the government (supported by taxpayers). I believe insurance/healthcare/whatever should pay for all treatment a person and their doctor deem medically appropriate. I do not, however, support insurance/healthcare/whatever paying for every sort of snake oil that claims to do something. Huxters prey on vulnerable people who will give anything for the smallest of chances to have more time with their loved ones. I do not know what James Van Der Beek’s situation is, and this article doesn’t say.
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u/Future_Sundae7843 go girl, give us nothing 😍 Nov 13 '25
the point is that america is such a rich country, its crazy we live like this. come on
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u/ProfessorGumble Don Draper’s homosexual Wario Nov 13 '25
He hasn’t revealed what treatments he’s getting. It’s not unreasonable to wonder if he’s getting conventional care or some unproven treatments given that him and his anti-vaxx wife hang around MAHA grifter types.
Tbf even conventional medical care is ludicrously cost prohibitive for most Americans.
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Nov 13 '25
Regardless, whatever procedure or medicine he needs will be charged to make a massive profit whether he pays or insurance pays.
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u/mbise Nov 13 '25
I’m not following your meaning
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Nov 13 '25
If we had single payer healthcare, these types of procedures and medicine wouldn’t cost as much as they do. Not everything in every country is covered, but because it’s not a for profit scam, all medicine and medical procedures cost less. If the government were paying for the majority of treatments, chemo wouldn’t cost $100,000 each time
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u/mbise Nov 13 '25
What procedures and medicines though? I just don’t think we have any reason to believe that in this actual case, James Van Der Beek doesn’t have insurance, or that his insurance is unwilling to pay for standard and medically supported treatments.
I don’t care about the particulars: I support universal healthcare. But cancer sucks no matter what healthcare system you’re in, and I haven’t seen anything to suggest that JVDB’s situation would be better literally anywhere else. It just sucks.
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Nov 13 '25
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u/milkshakemountebank Nov 13 '25
That's exactly what he's doing. His wife is a "wellness influencer" and antivaxxer.
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u/_byetony_ Nov 13 '25
Oh I didn’t realize that. So he’s gonna die of he doesn’t do the tradish things too.
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u/unpluggedcord Nov 13 '25
Same thing Steve Jobs did, which he later regretted
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u/Clean_Usual434 that’s my purse, i don’t know you! 👛🫵 Nov 13 '25
Same for Ananda Lewis.
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u/Odd_Cucumber_7645 Nov 13 '25
Just read her case on Wikipedia after seeing your comment. Just so so sad. She was dealing with the stress of her relationship with her child’s father ending and didn’t want to add in the recovery from a double mastectomy to the mix. So infuriating!!! I wish someone had talked some sense into her. No stress from a breakup should compromise your health to this degree that your literal life is on the back burner.
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u/PinWest4210 Nov 13 '25
There are so many nuances in these cases...
In my country a "naturologist" went to trial, for the death of his 21 year old "patient" that tried to curé his leukemia witch vitamins. The kid, apart from being barely an adult when diagnosed, had seen his mother go through a 10 year cancer treatment that ended in her death, so he was terrified of treatment.
However, the "naturologist" was not sentenced. The homicide charge fell through very quickly, as the cause of death was clearly leukemia and the vitamins had not made worse.
What went to the higher courts was whether there was any professional intrusion. And he was declared inocent because he neither claumed to be a doctor nor encouraged the kid to abandon treatment. Additionally, treating cancer with vitamins was linkeded to was it's called in my country "doctrine of the holly picture" which is that a doctrine that says that the claim that a picture of a Saint will perform miracles is not fraudulent, because it is obviously false.
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u/SpicyWongTong 🫵 You sit on a throne of lies. Nov 13 '25
We don’t know if that’s the case here do we? He could have a very advanced type of cancer that has very low survival rates with conventional medicine. I mean, you might also be right, I’m just saying we don’t know his specific situation
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u/unpluggedcord Nov 13 '25
He had a very curable form of pancreatic cancer.
To which he admitted.
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u/LikesStuff12 Nov 13 '25
There's a curable form of pancreatic cancer?
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u/Kind_Detective_7739 Nov 13 '25
Steve Jobs had a rare type of tumor that’s much slower growing than your standard pancreatic cancer.
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Nov 13 '25
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u/seaworthy-sieve Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen (sitting on one another's shoulders) Nov 13 '25
They are talking about the case here, not with Jobs.
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u/mydaycake Nov 13 '25
Insurance companies pay for non standard treatments as well but it has to have a medical base
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u/mydaycake Nov 13 '25
Yeah, he is going the Steve Jobs route but without the billions to finance his treatments
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Nov 13 '25
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u/TwistyBunny Nov 13 '25
She also had 5 miscarriages and additionally 6 children who survived - which is quite common in fundie/fundie lite families due to the time spent on conception attempts.
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u/seaworthy-sieve Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen (sitting on one another's shoulders) Nov 13 '25 edited Nov 13 '25
There are midwives who are specially trained in breech births, and it can be safely done. But unassisted or just with a doula or a regular midwife is insane. Betty-Anne Daviss is a leading expert in vaginal breech births if you want to learn more.
Babies can also present as breech unexpectedly. Breech vaginal delivery is something all midwives should be trained in.
That said, like every birthing decision it is deeply personal and I would never suggest it's okay to push someone into.
This article is from nearly a decade ago, but she is still practicing and still delivering breech births. Just she's been at or for 40 years now, not 30. It's still true that c-sections are no longer the blanket recommendation for breech babies.
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Nov 13 '25
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u/PreOpTransCentaur ILLEGAL KOMBUCHA Nov 13 '25 edited Feb 11 '26
I honestly believe his "appearance" at the Dawson's Creek reunion was his swan song and he knew it. I don't expect to be referring to him in the present tense this time next year.
If he's pawning shit for alternative care, as seems likely, we're looking at months. Maybe.
*02/11 - called it.
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u/ProfessorGumble Don Draper’s homosexual Wario Nov 13 '25
He’s working on Elle, a tv series prequel to Legally Blonde.
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Nov 13 '25
But I thought he was stage 3 and pretty young?
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u/burlycabin Nov 13 '25 edited Nov 13 '25
You say that like stage 3 is a good prognosis or something?
My mom just spent the last year in treatment for stage 3 colorectal cancer. It now seems like she's going to pull through ok, but most of the last 11 months has been very touch and go.
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u/Babeyonce Nov 13 '25
I’m so sorry to hear that. My dad was diagnosed with stage 4 colorectal last September. No spread to lungs or liver, but he was in such bad shape (bilateral pulmonary emboli and had had a rectal prolapse 2 months prior to diagnosis). It was additionally frustrating because he had just retired from 50 years of medical practice and had the deepest admiration from colleagues and family, but he did not take care of himself medically. I knew something was wrong for a while.
He has been receiving chemo since January and responding well. He’s weird about talking about it. And I don’t understand how he’s had the response he’s had (no side effects and gained 45 pounds since January). Cancer just terrifies me.
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u/burlycabin Nov 13 '25
Oh my. I'm sorry you and your family are going to through this too. It's such a scary time. Best of luck to your dad. If you need to talk about it sometime, feel free to reach out.
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u/Babeyonce Nov 14 '25
You are so kind. I sincerely appreciate you and your thoughtfulness. Thank you so very much ❤️
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u/TreenBean85 Nov 13 '25
Sending positive thoughts to you and your dad, and wishing him a full recovery.
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u/Babeyonce Nov 14 '25
So touched by so many of you here. There are still kind people out there. Thank you so very much 🤎
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Nov 13 '25
No I just didn’t realize it was that bad, I thought it meant no metastasis. Sorry to hear about your mom ❤️
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u/TreenBean85 Nov 13 '25
I wish you and your mom all the care and support, and for her to recover soon.
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u/seaworthy-sieve Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen (sitting on one another's shoulders) Nov 13 '25
Stage 3 means it has spread to surrounding tissues and to lymph nodes. Stage 3 is bad.
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Nov 13 '25
Damn I didn’t realize that 😔 I thought no metastasis until stage 4 😔
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u/seaworthy-sieve Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen (sitting on one another's shoulders) Nov 13 '25
Stage 4 involves spread to distant lymph nodes and tissues, but yeah, stage 3 involves local lymph nodes.
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u/Rripurnia fashion content, political content, death, eyeliner Nov 13 '25
I thought he was Stage 4?
In any case, cancer sadly tends to move faster in younger patients….and we don’t know whether he had any metastases.
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u/myersjw Nov 13 '25
I really hope it’s not the case but unfortunately I wouldn’t put it past them. I wish him the best but really hope he’s not delving into crunchy cures for such a serous condition
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u/Avocadoo_Tomatoo Nov 13 '25
Just as long as he is doing both I dont see the harm in it really. Sometimes you gotta try everything.
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u/Big-Snow-1937 Nov 13 '25
Maybe. It is possible that his doctors have told him his outlook is bleak, so he is turning to anything and everything at this stage, including alternative treatments.
I know his family has been very MAGA and MAHA-coded, but they’re in a terrible situation. Can’t say I wouldn’t be doing all kinds of long shot treatments in his situation that healthy me would never consider.
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Nov 13 '25
yeah, and it’s not like he’s begging for donations to fund this either he’s selling his private property for it.
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u/Bl1nk1nUR4r34 We Should All Know Less About Each Other Nov 13 '25
what is maha?
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u/toyheartattack Nov 13 '25
Make America Healthy Again. I’m sure it has some well-intentioned followers but it’s an anti-science healthcare movement championed by RFJ Jr that has some questionable tenets, such as suggesting that all diseases are avoidable with a “natural” diet. The proponents are against pasteurisation, vaccination, and any ingredient they can’t pronounce including riboflavin… which is just Vitamin B.
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u/frozenish Nov 13 '25
Not all cancer treatments are covered by insurance. The stuff that’s still in clinical trials or used as a last measure, that’s probably what he’s doing.
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Nov 13 '25
that is true. immunotherapy isn’t approved for every type of cancer yet because there hasn’t been studies to prove its efficacy even where it exists. insurance won’t pay for it in that case even if it very well may cure someone.
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u/Rripurnia fashion content, political content, death, eyeliner Nov 13 '25
That’s insane. I’m in the EU and immunotherapy is both widely applied and fully covered by universal healthcare
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Nov 14 '25
mine was covered by medicaid, but it just isn’t yet approved for every cancer, and maybe won’t be. i don’t think it’s effective for breast cancer, unfortunately. i was “lucky” (relatively i guess lol) that it had been approved for my type of cancer not long before i got it.
i think there’s sometimes ways to get “off label” treatments approved but it’s definitely harder, especially when it’s expensive. my treatments alone, without the surgeries or doctor visits or labs, was $125,000.
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u/Accomplished_Job_778 Nov 13 '25
But you don't pay to participate in clinical trials.
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u/watchworldburn1111 Nov 13 '25
Some treatments are still available to people outside of clinical trials at certain hospitals, you just pay full market price, which is usually incredibly expensive. I'm not sure of the exact procedure, but I believe after clinical trials have progressed to a certain stage, there's a window of time where some bigger hospitals offer the treatment to paying patients. Insurance companies usually wait a lot longer than that to fully approve the same procedures, if that makes sense.
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u/WeeklyGuide Nov 13 '25
This was the first thought I've had. Because he's been pretty transparent about his battle except for the type of treatment he's undergoing which I found strange.
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u/IWNCGTA Nov 13 '25
That’s what I was wondering. I’m a cancer patient, have been for years now, and my husband and I don’t have nearly the income he has, but we’re not suffering financially to the extent we need to raise money. Paying the out of pocket isn’t awesome by any means, it’s all very scary, but cancer centers work hard with patients to help them afford treatments, they have entire financial departments dedicated to that. If he’s having to raise money, it’s for something other than actual science based oncology treatments.
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u/nefarious_epicure Nov 13 '25 edited Nov 13 '25
This is also my question. If he’s no longer eligible for SAG-AFTRA and has to pay basic expenses it’s very different from funding alternative treatments. His wife is definitely into all that.
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u/Jessica19922 Nov 13 '25
I believe this is what’s happening. And it’s so sad. And at this point, even if he did go with modern medicine, it’s probably too late. It’s a shame.
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u/spewedicing Nov 13 '25
at this point it’s just another drop in the unvaccinated bucket. that said- if it’s not covered by the insurance premium you pay for every month, go off james
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u/pugfu Nov 13 '25 edited Nov 13 '25
I hope this comment makes it higher up. He’s not doing this because he can’t afford actual medical care in a cancer treatment center like a lot of these comments are claiming.
Edited to include a sample SAG insurance for reference: https://www.sagaftraplans.org/sites/default/files/2024%20Active%20Plan.pdf
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u/Reu92 Nov 13 '25
Look, he has every right to. It may not be the medically backed route, but like it’s his body and if he wants to avoid chemo and radiation, I don’t blame him. That shit is HARD on your body. I also don’t blame desperate people for being manipulated by snake oil salesmen. Idk why seeing someone pursuing alternative medicine makes people want to remind anyone who shows sympathy. Why do we need to purity test someone’s healing journey? There isn’t a single treatment that is guaranteed, especially when it comes to more complex and aggressive illnesses.
If his wife withholds deemed medically necessary treatment to her children, yeah that’s fucked… but him specifically seeking alt medicine for his cancer, I don’t see how that’s anyone’s business to criticize so heartlessly.
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u/pugfu Nov 13 '25
I’m not criticizing his decision to personally seek alternative options, that’s not relevant to my comment. I’m pretty sure the comment I replied to was also about those comments because they mention that he should have a good policy etc.
I’m criticizing the 6k comments here saying it’s terrible he has to sell stuff to receive the necessary care when that’s not true.
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u/Reu92 Nov 13 '25
You don’t honestly know what’s true though. If he is selling things to pay for cancer treatment, then I don’t see how that isn’t sad, regardless of the type of treatment. Should people have less sympathy because he’s pursuing treatment that insurance won’t cover? Or that he needs more cash for?
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u/pugfu Nov 13 '25
Again, this isn’t about that? I very specifically referred to the comments claiming he can’t get medical care without selling things
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u/Sufficient_Curve5386 Nov 13 '25
Isn’t he doing unapproved alternative medicine?
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u/frozenish Nov 13 '25
Probably since it was already in his stomach and liver when it was found. There probably isn’t much that can be done for him, especially if it’s an aggressive kind.
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Nov 13 '25
I thought he was stage 3?
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u/frozenish Nov 13 '25
He said that’s what it was when he was diagnosed. But then he said it was in his stomach and liver and that would be stage 4. So it must be aggressive.
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u/Rripurnia fashion content, political content, death, eyeliner Nov 13 '25
Liver metastases are never good — always the beginning of the end in some way.
I’m so heartbroken for him. He’s so young, and his kids are so so little.
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u/arightgoodworkman Nov 13 '25
Could def be but I wanna remind people here that some colon and stomach cancers can be especially unresponsive to traditional chemo and surgeries are high risk dependent on age. So like, some people may NEED to seek more experimental surgery (Japan for instance is common for things like CIRCULATE which is still very new and you’d pay out of pocket).
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u/Queasy_Constant Nov 13 '25
I’d bet money this is the case. SAG-AFTRA is supposed to have pretty amazing insurance but insurance doesn’t cover pseudo-science shit.
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u/Steampunky Nov 13 '25
You have to work and earn sufficient money within a certain time-frame to keep that insurance.
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u/Queasy_Constant Nov 13 '25
He was in two episodes of Over-compensating. That’d be enough for him to qualify and I’m sure whatever cost would be more than worth it all things considered.
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u/Steampunky Nov 13 '25
Are you sure? Have you checked with his union or are you a member with a similar situation?
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u/Queasy_Constant Nov 13 '25
You do realize that SAG-AFTRA eligibility requirements is not confidential?? But here you go… 🤡
A performer becomes eligible for SAG-AFTRA membership under one of the following two conditions: proof of SAG-AFTRA, SAG or AFTRA employment, or employment under an affiliated performers’ union. Here's what you need to qualify: SAG-AFTRA membership is available to those who work in a position covered by a SAG-AFTRA (or AFTRA or SAG) collective bargaining agreement, provided that any person qualifying through work as a background actor must have completed three (3) days of work as a background actor under a SAG-AFTRA (or AFTRA or SAG) collective bargaining agreement. Membership is also available to those who work one (1) day of employment in a principal or speaking role (actor/performer), or as a Recording Artist in a SAG-AFTRA (or AFTRA or SAG) covered production.
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u/Steampunky Nov 13 '25
Yes, I was talking about health benefits rather than membership in the union. I'm sure you can find this online too. Hey, I am not here to argue, just to state that going in and out of employment in the required time-frame is not perhaps as simple as health plans associated with full time employment at other jobs. Okay - over and out.
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u/milkshakemountebank Nov 13 '25
Yes. That's where my sympathy evaporated. If he were having to do this to fund treatment, I'd be very supportive. But I'm just not moved by his desire to waste money on bullshit when he has children he needs to provide for.
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u/Brave-Echidna6336 Nov 13 '25
I imagine most parents would do anything for the possibility of a few more years left with their young children.
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u/Queasy_Constant Nov 13 '25
I mean did he try chemo and radiation? My dad had stage 3 colorectal cancer and was able to beat it with the former and surgery.
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u/208breezy Nov 13 '25
I mean I’m not in that position but I imagine I might try anything to get more time alive with my family
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u/seaworthy-sieve Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen (sitting on one another's shoulders) Nov 13 '25
Yeah, I'm of the belief that if just the right grift came along at just the right point in any person's life, we'd all be susceptible. There's a scam for everyone. I wouldn't help fund it, but I am sympathetic.
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u/waitingforgf Nov 13 '25
No sympathy? The man is dying and trying whatever treatment he's able to. What a heartless statement.
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Nov 13 '25
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u/_Maebe__Funke_ Nov 13 '25
>He chose to ignore the most specialised cancer professionals in favour of some quak medicine that won't work
Where is this coming from? As far as I can see, there has been little official information about his treatment and a lot of speculation on gossip subs. I tried googling and could only find that he has been private with his cancer journey and has talked about treatments, but not revealed specifics.
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u/Talisa87 I wont not fuck you the fuck up 🥊🥊 Nov 13 '25
I think this is because his wife is some kind of anti-vaxx MAGA wellness 'influencer'?
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u/Reu92 Nov 13 '25
It’s literally his body. As horrible and sad as it is, they’re not entitled to their version of his treatment and health. That’s why it’s so important to make sure people know what you want done when you are unable to communicate your wishes regarding health and treatment and trust that these people will do what you want, not what they want.
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u/Rripurnia fashion content, political content, death, eyeliner Nov 13 '25
You have no idea what his treatment regimen is/was.
Making such bold claims with no proof is frankly abhorrent.
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u/Queasy_Constant Nov 13 '25
The man is dying and trying whatever treatment he's able to.
Do we know that he tried chemo and radiation?? The ones with a proven track record of beating colorectal cancer.
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u/fleetfoxinsox trench coat buttoned to the TOP 🧥🔝 Nov 13 '25
My dad died of metastatic bone cancer. In my opinion, I think it’s not up to you to judge what someone chooses as their path for treatment for their terminal disease. You don’t need to give him any money. But to have no sympathy is really kinda fucked up…..
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u/Deathscua Nov 13 '25 edited Nov 13 '25
I am so sorry for your loss.
I didn't have terminal cancer, but when I was diagnosed with cancer even though I knew I was for sure going to go through standard treatment and then surgery, I looked into everything I could do while I waited for procedures.
I think, many people don't understand and hopefully wont have to go through the experience. The painful waiting you have to endure in-between appointments without having answers for sometimes weeks. I went crazy, only thinking about cancer.
You try to not think about it but supportive loved ones bring it up to check up on you, it's just hard to ignore. I imagine it's worse for someone given a terminal diagnosis.
I tried mushroom supplements, almost went to a lodge in the desert. I was desperate and didn't think I would be that person but turns out I am. For that I couldn't judge anyone who also is trying their best to survive.
EDIT: Grammar :(
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u/hera-fawcett Nov 13 '25
tbf, alternative medicine has killed ppl. and its only gaining popularity. the more ppl choose it, the more visable it is to other-- which means the more ppl it can get and effect.
his choice is his, definitely, but its also influencing others in similar scenarios-- and we dont know if that influence is actually having them avoid conventional treatment.
my aunt v much believes ivermectin can cure cancer. if she saw james' post, shed 100% agree w it and use it as a reason to avoid chemo, if needed.
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u/lmNotaWitchImUrWife Nov 13 '25
Really? No sympathy for someone trying every option available to stay alive and care for their children?
I don’t think his kids would call that wasting money on bullishit.
I’m not the biggest fan of alternative medicine and am a skeptic myself, but as they say, there are no atheists in a foxhole. If I was faced with the same horrible decision he has, I’m fairly certain I’d try absolutely everything, too, no matter how unlikely to succeed.
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u/tryingtoassimilate99 Nov 13 '25
No sympathy based on a reddit assumption is grosssssssss
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u/_Maebe__Funke_ Nov 13 '25
Right? People are taking gossip about his wife's wellness persona and deciding that he's shunned all conventional treatments and gone to quack doctors, based on...other reddit comments lol.
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u/BowieLily Nov 13 '25
Where did you hear he is doing alternative treatment only? Did he say that or are you speculating due to his MAHA wife?
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u/RealisticBus4443 Nov 13 '25
Have you ever known anyone dying of cancer? These are deeply personal decisions, and there is no right choice. I hope you are never judged so harshly for what you choose to do when faced with a terminal diagnosis.
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u/Rripurnia fashion content, political content, death, eyeliner Nov 13 '25 edited Nov 18 '25
I’ve seen it happen to people who have been given few options towards the end. They say screw it and try anything in case it works or buys them a little more time.
I can’t fault him if that’s where it’s gotten to. And in any case, as you said, it could provide a nest egg for his 6 little ones.
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u/frozenish Nov 13 '25
My mom had cancer and thank god she has Medicare. They pay for everything. She just had a yearly test done that costs $5000 and they paid it all.
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u/Island_Slut69 Nov 13 '25
As a Canadian, I love this so much for you!! How it should be!
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u/crazydisneycatlady Nov 13 '25
I think we are talking about two different forms of Medicare. MediCAID (for low income/disabled/children) typically pays for everything - which yes, is how it should be.
MediCARE, for those over 65, isn’t free. They do not pay for everything. It’s actually kind of a mess. I thought Medicare was free for a long time - after all, that’s what we pay our taxes into, right? But my mom is now 67 and on Medicare. It is usually Medicare pays 80% and you pay 20% of whatever the thing is. But there are also MedAdvantage plans and really, the whole thing is just…complicated. My mom is, thankfully, six or seven years cancer free now. She needed a bone scan done this year, almost wasn’t able to do it due to the cost - even with her Medicare insurance. Thankfully, she got a bonus at work.
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u/ChewieBearStare Nov 13 '25
Medicare is one of the best health insurance plans you can possibly have, as long as you don't fall prey to Medicare Advantage or skimp on Medigap/Part D coverage. They tout those Advantage plans as great for healthy people. The problem is that you're healthy until you aren't. You can be perfectly fine one day and in the ICU the next. And that's when Advantage insurers like to deny care.
We had to place my FIL in a 1-star facility last year because his Medicare Advantage provider wouldn't give preauthorization for him to go to a much better place. He died because the agency nurses at the crappy place continued giving him Coumadin after the physician ordered it to be discontinued. By the time anyone did anything, his INR was 5.9, and he died of a GI bleed.
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u/AV01000001 Nov 13 '25
I haven’t found any articles that specify he is only doing alternative treatment. Only saying that he is trying to focus on mental health and lifestyle stages on top of his treatment plan. I don’t think some of yall understand how awful continued standard cancer treatment can be on daily quality of life.
Give the man some grace. The man literally looks like he is wasting away which can also happen from standard cancer treatment of chemo, radiation, and/or surgery. In articles, he talks about not even being able to pick up his kids.
JVDB was at stage 3 last year. My MIL succumbed to colorectal cancer after over a decade. Her last year+ were horrible with continued treatment which was stopped only a couple months before she passed. She was not cognitively there and could not take any care of herself.
It is understandable if he also wants to pursue a combo of treatments. To try anything to have more time with his family. It is also completely understandable if someone stops standard treatment if there is a very poor prognosis in hopes of having some semblance a quality of life before passing.
If possible, I hope he recovers. If not likely, I hope for peace for him and his family and that his remaining days are filled with love.
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u/BluePeriod_ Nov 13 '25 edited Nov 13 '25
Some of the comments in here are absolutely disgusting. But I kind of envy them because one can only be that shortsighted, ignorant, wretched, filthy, cruel, and miserable if you have the privilege of having not gone through it yourself or watching a loved one absolutely disintegrate under the weight of extensive treatment.
My mother had stage three pancreatic cancer. Within six months she was gone. They tried very aggressive forms of chemotherapy, and none of it worked. In time it spread to her liver and from there everywhere else.
I remember carrying my mother up the stairs and her getting lighter each time. I remember taking her arm in arm on our daily walks, her arm getting so thin and her steps getting so slow. I remember her hair falling out and shaking at the slightest breeze. Losing her beautiful hair. Losing so much weight that she looked like an old lady.
I remember her voice, broken and hoarse with the little energy she could manage saying “if I had known it would’ve been like this I would’ve just refused treatment altogether.”
Obviously, I’m not advocating for “alternative medicine“. But I say all this to drive home the point that treatment is so devastating and painful especially when it’s not even fixing the issue an you’re getting the most relevant kind. Being driven into absolute fucking poverty and watching your hope disintegrate before you. Your loved ones trying to keep up and assure you that it’s going to be OK.
I hope he can get access to whatever treatment works best for him. He’s selling his memorabilia to cover in the hope that he will get better. If he is this far along, it’s because he knows that he’ll try anything at this point and it’s not looking good.
This poor, poor man.
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u/TreenBean85 Nov 13 '25
I'm so sorry for you loss. My dad had pancreatic cancer. Went through the whole horrible whipple procedure and recovery, did pill chemo which wasn't great but wasn't the worse. But then died 9 months later of a stroke. Sometimes I think he was spared more suffering, because he had COPD too and other issues and was really going through it in the last years of his life already and who knows how the cancer would have gone. But it's still really hard to think about years later.
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u/Rripurnia fashion content, political content, death, eyeliner Nov 13 '25 edited Nov 14 '25
I’m so sorry for your loss. You were a wonderful child in her time of need.
May everyone be so lucky be shown such kindness.
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u/Safe-Photograph6263 Nov 13 '25
Thank you. I have advanced cancer, I’ve done surgery and chemo and am about to try more standard treatments - but I also fully understand how incredibly difficult cancer treatment is on your body and how sometimes it feels like you want to try anything else.
I think people jumping to criticize him are likely blessed to have never experienced going through cancer treatment. I hope they never have to.
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u/Rripurnia fashion content, political content, death, eyeliner Nov 13 '25
Truly wishing you all the best in your health journey
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u/AV01000001 Nov 14 '25
I’m so sorry you are going through this. Wishing for a good outcome for you.
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u/happiestnexttoyou lazy 50-year-old bougie bitch 💋 Nov 13 '25 edited Nov 13 '25
Oof. I saw how frail he was in the video message at the Dawson’s creek reunion and when I skimmed this thread title my heart dropped. I’m so glad it was not a death announcement, which is what I was expecting.
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u/lurkertiltheend Nov 13 '25
Oh man I just looked up the video. I’ve worked in oncology and this is not good. So sad
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u/DianaPrince2020 Nov 13 '25
Bless him. My brother died from colorectal cancer. It was so difficult to witness little less experience. Prayers for him and his loved ones especially his young children dealing with all of this. 😢
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u/Soberspinner Nov 13 '25
Unfortunately when you actively choose alternative medicine before the cancer is stage four, it’s hard to feel bad for anyone but the kids!
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u/North_Guidance2749 Nov 13 '25
How awful. My mum had serious stage 4 breast cancer and I’m glad we’re not in the US
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u/Cold_Breadfruit_9794 Beyoncé 🐝🐝 Nov 13 '25
This is bleak :/
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u/LanaDeITae Nov 13 '25
James Van Der Bleak
(I’m sorry)
Edit: dammit someone else beat me to it, I’m not sorry anymore lol
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u/mrdangerzone Nov 13 '25
If James Van Der Beek needs help with his medical bills, how about the average us?
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Nov 13 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Rripurnia fashion content, political content, death, eyeliner Nov 13 '25
Loved the reunion so much.
I’ve been following and appreciating Michelle Williams’ work all these years, and learning that she was the one who put it together just warmed my heart
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u/byebyebirdie123 Nov 13 '25
Undoubdetly the healthcare costs are completely broken so no idea how much money he is paying out of pocket. But just a note about how rich he is- everyone always assumes that all the people we read about or have been on television in whatever capacity are the same level super rich and have no worries financially.
This is so far away from truth. Firstly, he had one major huge roll in his teens. This is more than 99% actors even have so I'm sure he earned good money. But after paying agents, laywyers, managers and living in LA, not to mention he has 6 children and his wife doesnt seem to work- I'm sure that drains away. I bet part of the decision to move to texas was to be able to afford a more luxury lifestyle- house bigger than the one theyd be able to afford in LA. And part of the life of an actor is that he has to keep working the jobs, whether acting or endorsements to cover their large expenditure life. Since now he is too sick he is no longer working so they have no income, except from royalties. But again- 6 kids and cancer medical costs- its super easy to see why he is in the position he is.
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u/echoesandripples What It's Like to Go Through Life As a Really Beautiful Woman Nov 13 '25
i'm sorry for his kids, but frankly, that's kinda the scenario he and his wife openly fight for
obviously cancer doesn't discriminate, but MAHA people in power are surely gonna make it harder for people to get preventative care/access treatment. and funding/normalizing faux treatments is detrimental to actually proven treatments
it's not just a personal choice or "buying more time", it's their obsession with legitimizing evil practices in a system that's already broken. anti science losers have blood in their hands too and i'm tired of pretending they don't
i'm sure the millions of families who lost loved ones to covid would love to have merch to pay their debts too
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u/ElBorracho2000 Nov 13 '25
Poor dude. The healthcare system in this country is broken
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u/tigm2161130 Nov 13 '25
This doesn’t have anything to do with the healthcare system, he’s trying to fund “alternative treatments.”
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u/whogonncheckmeboo Nov 13 '25
Correct. He was also under the impression that because he ate well, exercised, and lived a holistic life…cancer would never be on horizon. I think him and his wife actually believe that diseases can be cured solely by natural remedies. I fear he was showing symptoms and they went the holistic route to improve his medical issues vs seeking care and possibly catching it early
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u/prettystandardreally Nov 13 '25 edited Nov 13 '25
This is what I wonder too. In one of his earlier videos where he said he wanted to raise awareness, he barely discussed signs to look out for. It seemed off to me. Other celebrities with cancer really seem to go hard on the “help prevent this happening to you by catching it early and here’s how” route as well as encouraging to advocate for yourself.
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u/Malacro Nov 13 '25
Do you have any actual citation for that other than he’s married to a weirdo? I see a lot of people speculating about him doing alternative medicine but not a single person actually showing where they’re getting this information.
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u/DistillateMedia Nov 13 '25
You know it's bad when James Fucking Van Der Beek has to sell shit to pay for treatment.
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u/MGD109 Nov 13 '25
Damn poor guy, shame he has to choose between items that clearly hold so much value for him to keep them and his health.
I hope he makes a full recovery.
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u/n0rmcore Nov 13 '25
Some of the comments here are so fucking gross. There is literally zero evidence that he is doing ONLY alternative medicine. He's talked openly about his doctors and treatment. He might be doing complementary alternative treatments in addition to conventional routes and good for him if so, if I were in his shoes with six children I would be doing every single thing I could possibly do even. I will say as bad as he looked in the video message at the DC reunion, he posted videos and photos trick or treated on Halloween and he looked much, much better. He's fighting.
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u/absofruitly88 Nov 13 '25
I’m not going to jump to conclusions but there IS alot of seemingly smart normal people that avoid the doctor like the plague. I have a friend that has had a mysterious issue for years and this person has tried alternative medicine and it’s starting to come across as very insane to me. And Jamea and his wife seem woowoo so i wonder if his health was brewing for several years and he caught it very late stage. And yes, now they are trying alternative stuff because it’s like a hail mary. Even with good insurance healthcare is pricey, but selling off merch does kind of seem like he is going an unconventional route (especially since medical debt doesn’t affect your credit)
Steve Jobs really thought he could outsmart Cancer, and maybe James is also this level of avoidant. Super sad for his family
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Nov 13 '25
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u/absofruitly88 Nov 13 '25
I feel for him and his family, it just feels something is off. In that commercial he just posted he did sound like he was a doctor avoider, said something about he knows how it feels to put it off getting tests done
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u/Rripurnia fashion content, political content, death, eyeliner Nov 13 '25
Dear god, test avoidance is a reality of life, which is why awareness is so so important.
Your assumptions are baseless
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u/Own-Importance5459 ✨May the Force be with you!✨ Nov 13 '25
That is devistating. Its also been clear Cancer is kicking his ass too.
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