Actor James Van Der Beek has shared a deeply emotional update on his battle with stage-three colorectal cancer, leaving many longtime fans shaken. The Dawson’s Creek star, diagnosed in 2023, has spoken openly about how the illness has reshaped both his daily life and his family’s routine.

Earlier this year, Van Der Beek revealed that treatment forced him to step back from many of his roles at home. “I couldn’t lift my kids, tuck them in, or support my wife the way I always had,” he said in an Instagram message. Although work has offered brief moments of escape, he acknowledged that cancer is a “lifelong process.”

In his latest update, the 48-year-old shared that his children have taken on caregiving responsibilities as his strength declines. Fans also noticed his frail appearance during a virtual reunion for Dawson’s Creek, which he was unable to attend in person. He expressed heartbreak over missing the chance to thank his castmates and longtime supporters.

Despite maintaining a healthy lifestyle before his diagnosis, Van Der Beek said he was stunned when tests confirmed cancer. Faith, he added, has helped him hold onto hope: “If I’m worthy of God’s love, I should be worthy of my own.”

To help cover medical expenses, the actor is auctioning cherished memorabilia from his personal collection. “Life has made it clear that the time is now,” he wrote, noting that letting go of these items brings both nostalgia and gratitude.

Fans continue to rally around him, sending messages of encouragement as he navigates the hardest chapter of his life.