James Van Der Beek is selling merchandise from his classic 1999 movie Varsity Blues to help pay for his cancer treatments – and those of other patients.
The coming-of-age drama, which was about high school football, starred James amid a cast that included Jon Voight, Paul Walker and Scott Caan.
Four weeks ago, James, 47, announced that he has been diagnosed with stage three colorectal cancer, adding that he was ‘in a good place and feeling strong.’
Now he has revealed he is partly covering the costs of his treatment by selling signed Varsity Blues jerseys during the movie’s 25th anniversary year.
In an added flourish of fan service, the shirts have been made to look like the jersey worn by James’ own character in the film, Jonathan ‘Mox’ Moxon.
He noted on his Instagram page: ‘100% of my net proceeds will go to families recovering from the financial burden of cancer (including my own).’
James Van Der Beek is selling merchandise from his classic 1999 movie Varsity Blues to help pay for his cancer treatments – and those of other patients
Firing up his Instagram page on Black Friday, James urged fans to ‘Order now & get a signed one in time for Christmas,’ pointing out: ‘#cancerisexpensive’.
James unveiled the ‘Merch drop!’ on his Instagram page last week, posting a slideshow of photos of himself in the jersey set to My Hero by Foo Fighters.
‘Excited to celebrate the 25th anniversary of #Varsity Blues with a limited edition #4 Moxon jersey—each one personally autographed by me. Grab yours now at the link in my bio or head over to JVDB.Shop,’ the Dawson’s Creek star wrote.
James is also joining a fleet of celebrities who will take off their clothes on a Fox TV special to spread awareness of colorectal, testicular and prostate cancer.
Entitled The Real Full Monty, the special will include Broadway star Taye Diggs, Dancing With the Stars judge Bruno Tonioli and Kansas City Chiefs player Chris Jones.
Amid his battle with the illness, James marked Thanksgiving this week by sharing his gratitude for his ‘super human’ wife Kimberly.
The pair married in 2010 and now live on a 36-acre Texas ranch with their six children -Olivia, 14, Joshua, 12, Annabel, 10, Emilia, eight, Gwendolyn, six, and Jeremiah, three.
‘It’s been a tough year… and I’m thankful for all of it. For the giant life re-direct cancer has placed in my path,’ he wrote beside an Instagram picture of him with his family.
In an added flourish of fan service, the shirts have been made to look like the jersey worn by James’ own character in the film, Jonathan ‘Mox’ Moxon (pictured in Varsity Blues)
Firing up his Instagram page on Black Friday , James urged fans to ‘Order now & get a signed one in time for Christmas ,’ pointing out: ‘#cancerisexpensive’
Now he has revealed he is partly covering the costs of his treatment by selling signed Varsity Blues jerseys during the movie’s 25th anniversary year
James unveiled the ‘Merch drop!’ on his Instagram page last week, posting a slideshow of photos of himself in the jersey set to My Hero by Foo Fighters
The coming-of-age drama, which was about high school football, starred James (left) amid a cast that included Jon Voight (right), Paul Walker and Scott Caan
James marked Thanksgiving by showering praise on his wife Kimberly and their children Olivia, 14, Joshua, 12, Annabel, 10, Emilia, eight, Gwendolyn, six, and Jeremiah, three
‘For the gift of knowing what it feels like to have friends come through on such a profound level, and in ways I never would have been able to ask for had I not been going through it.’
He added: ‘I’m grateful for this new relationship I have to my body, and what I feed it. I’m grateful to each and every one of you who has reached out and sent good vibes and prayers. It all lands and makes a difference.’
James warmly wrote: ‘And I’m more grateful than ever to my super human wife who has shown up on levels I never knew possible. Who has shown me what unconditional love is and the magic that comes from that. I am in awe of you, @vanderkimberly.’
Of his children, he wrote: ‘And of course, I’m beyond thankful the little blond army of hearts who keep me present, active, and inspired just by being you. I love you guys beyond.’
He concluded by wishing a happy Thanksgiving to his 1.6 million Instagram followers and thanking photographer Claiborne Swanson Frank for the snap.
