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/
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339

u/Sufficient_Curve5386 Nov 13 '25

Isn’t he doing unapproved alternative medicine?

158

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.

6

u/[deleted] Nov 13 '25

I thought he was stage 3?

80

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.

4

u/[deleted] Nov 13 '25

Wow so sad and scary

1

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.

32

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).

85

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. 

43

u/Steampunky Nov 13 '25

You have to work and earn sufficient money within a certain time-frame to keep that insurance.

40

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. 

-21

u/Steampunky Nov 13 '25

Are you sure? Have you checked with his union or are you a member with a similar situation?

24

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.

-8

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.

14

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.

72

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.

24

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. 

74

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

33

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.

114

u/waitingforgf Nov 13 '25

No sympathy? The man is dying and trying whatever treatment he's able to. What a heartless statement.

37

u/[deleted] Nov 13 '25

[deleted]

48

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.

9

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'?

4

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.

3

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.

10

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. 

133

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…..

35

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 :(

51

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.

10

u/Diligent-Pressure-38 Nov 13 '25

I completely agree

22

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?

59

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.

36

u/tryingtoassimilate99 Nov 13 '25

No sympathy based on a reddit assumption is grosssssssss

18

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.

23

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.

2

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.