\u201cThroughout illness, the family faced not only emotional challenges but also significant financial strain as they did everything possible to support James and provide for his care,\u201d a description of the GoFundMe campaign reads.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the wake of this loss, Kimberly and the children are facing an uncertain future,\u201d the statement continues. \u201cThe costs of James\u2019s medical care and the extended fight against cancer have left the family out of funds. They are working hard to stay in their home and to ensure the children can continue their education and maintain some stability during this incredibly difficult time. The support of friends, family, and the wider community will make a world of difference as they navigate the road ahead.\u201d<\/p>\n
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WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA – DECEMBER 02: Kimberly Brook (L), James Van Der Beek (R), and family at the 7th Annual Santa’s Secret Workshop benefiting LA Family Housing at Andaz on December 2, 2017 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer\/Getty Images for Santa’s Secret Workshop 2017)\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kimberly Van Der Beek is listed as the organizer for the GoFundMe campaign, but People magazine reported<\/a> that her friends launched it on her behalf. As of Wednesday, it had raised more than $312,000 of the targeted $550,000, with an anonymous donor giving $20,000. The post went on to say that funds will cover essential living expenses, bills and support the children\u2019s education.<\/p>\n Van Der Beek shared six children with Kimberly: daughters Olivia, 15, Annabel, 12, Emilia, 9\u00bd, and Gwendolyn, 7, and sons Joshua, 13, and Jeremiah, 4, People reported. In announcing her \u201cbeloved\u201d husband\u2019s death, Kimberly Van Der Beek wrote on Instagram<\/a> that he \u201cmet his final days with courage, faith, and grace.\u201d<\/p>\n On his 48th birthday last March, Van Der Beek talked about facing his mortality after receiving his cancer diagnosis in 2023. In a video recorded to Instagram<\/a>, he also talked about what his cancer \u201chas taught\u201d him about himself, while he acknowledged his disappointment that he could no longer work and be the family \u201cprovider,\u201d nor could he always be \u201cthe helpful husband\u201d and hands-on father when he was away for treatment. He also said he was sometimes too weak to do any upkeep on the family ranch outside Austin, Texas,<\/a> where he and Kimberly moved in 2020 to get their children out of Hollywood.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen I was younger, I used to define myself as an actor, which was never really all that fulfilling,\u201d Van Der Beek said. \u201cAnd then I became a husband, and that was much better. And then I became a father, and that was the ultimate. I could define myself then, as a loving, capable, strong, supportive, husband, father, provider, steward of the land that we\u2019re so lucky to live on. And for a long time, that felt like a really good definition to the question, \u2018Who am I? What am I?’\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnd then this year, I had to look my own mortality in the eye,\u201d Van Der Beek continued. \u201cAnd all of those definitions that I cared so deeply about were stripped for me.\u201d He said he then meditated \u201cand the answer came through, \u2018I am worthy of God\u2019s love simply because I exist.’\u201d<\/p>\n The actor announced his cancer diagnosis in an interview with People magazine in November 2024. He said he was \u201ctaking steps to resolve it with the support of my incredible family.\u201d He also said,\u00a0\u201cThere\u2019s reason for optimism, and I\u2019m feeling good.\u201d<\/p>\n Van Der Beek\u2019s final appearance in public was during a July 2025 trip to New York City, where he appeared \u201crelaxed and in good spirits\u201d while interacting with fans near Rockefeller Center, Parade magazine reported<\/a>.<\/p>\n The trip took place several weeks before Van Der Beek was supposed to join his former \u201cDawson\u2019s Creek\u201d co-stars at a reunion script reading. But in the end, he said he couldn\u2019t be there in person and sent a virtual message instead.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is the evening I\u2019d been looking forward to MOST since my angel Michelle Williams said she was putting it together, way back in January,\u201d Van Der Beek said. \u201cSo you can imagine how gutted I was when two stomach viruses conspired to knock me out of commission and keep me grounded at the worst possible moment.\u201d<\/p>\n Van Der Beek\u2019s friend,\u00a0Lin-Manuel Miranda, stepped in to read his part. Other original cast members at the event included Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson and Busy Phillips.<\/p>\n \t\t\t