James Van Der Beek on his difficult battle with colorectal cancer

Beloved “Dawson’s Creek” star James Van Der Beek recently opened up about his difficult battle with stage 3 colorectal cancer in a heartfelt Instagram video, reflecting on how the diagnosis has fundamentally changed his life and identity. Initially announcing his diagnosis last November, the 48-year-old actor has been undergoing treatment that has often kept him away from his wife Kimberly and their six children.

… In his moving birthday message, Van Der Beek shared that facing mortality stripped away all his previous self-definitions, leading him to the profound realization that he is “worthy of God’s love simply because I exist.” The actor expressed gratitude for the prayers and support he’s received throughout his cancer journey, which he describes as “the hardest year of my life.”