James Van Der Beek/Instagram
NEED TO KNOW
James Van Der Beek is selling autographed and unsigned Varsity Blues jerseys to raise money for cancer treatment
Proceeds will support his own treatment for stage 3 colorectal cancer and help other families facing similar challenges
The actor also promotes early cancer detection through Shield Cancer Screen and shared his journey since his 2023 diagnosis
James Van Der Beekis back in hisVarsity Bluesjersey for a good cause.
The 48-year-old actor, who has stage 3 colorectal cancer, rocked the white jersey with the royal blue lettering to help raise money for his cancer treatment and to help other families going through the same experience.
In a new Instagram video, theDawson's Creekstar stepped out in the jersey, featuring the name Moxon — his character from the 1999 film — as he tossed around a football, twirling it on his finger.
"By popular demand! My favorite jersey," Van Der Beek captioned the clip. "Maybe it was all fun plays we got run in the football sequences for the away games… but I always loved putting on the varsity whites."
James Van Der Beek/Instagram
The TV actor shared that afterpreviously releasing a version of the blue jersey, he was "blown away by the love and support" he received in response, adding, "It has meant more than I can ever express."
Van Der Beek isoffering versions of the jerseythat are both autographed and not, ranging in price from $40 for the unsigned ones to $80 with his signature.
"For me, every jersey I sign is a magical full-circle moment," he wrote. "Thank you — for the love, the prayers, the support, and for making this jersey mean something far bigger than a movie. Endlessly grateful for all of you."
The father of six shared that the proceeds will go directly to his cancer treatment and to helping other families in similar positions.
View this post on Instagram
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE's free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
In addition to the fundraising endeavor, Van Der Beek also leant his voice to promoting theShield Cancer Screen blood test, which helps detect colorectal cancer.
"As somebody who once played a high school quarterback in a movie, I feel very qualified to talk about the best defense against cancer, which is honestly knowledge and catching it early," he shared in the clip, which featured him throwing a football with his son, Joshua, 13.
Back in Nov. 2024, Van Der Beek wentpublic with his cancer diagnosisafter privately undergoing treatment following a 2023 diagnosis.
"I'd always associated cancer with age and with unhealthy, sedentary lifestyles," he explained to PEOPLE at the time. "But I was in amazing cardiovascular shape. I tried to eat healthy — or as far as I knew it at the time."
Of his journey thus far, Van Der Beek added, "This has been a crash course in the mastery of mind, body, and spirit. I thought, 'This is either going to take me out of the body, or it's going to teach me how to truly live in it.'"
Read the original article onPeople
