Replace: Steven Spielberg added his title to the rising checklist of Hollywood figures and James Van Der Beek followers donating to the late “Dawson’s Creek” star’s household to cowl medical bills that left them “out of funds.”
Spielberg, who donated $25,000 to the trigger, performed a particular position in “Dawson’s Creek,” whose hero Dawson Leery idolized the legendary filmmaker. The 79-year-old Oscar winner even known as right into a reunion occasion final 12 months to pay homage to Dawson’s adoration.
Pals of James, his spouse Kimberly Van Der Beek, and their six youngsters launched the GoFundMe on Wednesday, which rapidly handed its preliminary aim of $550,000 and on the time of this Thursday night replace nears $2 million raised.
The present quantity donated to the household stands at $1,905,378. Van Der Beek’s buddies penned a thanks as donations continued to return in, writing on the fundraiser Thursday, “Your kindness has meant greater than we are able to put into phrases. In the midst of deep grief, your assist has been a light-weight. It reminds us that love is actual, that group is robust, and that James’s spirit continues to deliver individuals collectively.”
Whereas many decried the state of the U.S. healthcare system within the feedback part of the donations web page, others raised questions in regards to the particulars of Van Der Beek’s medical remedies over his two-year battle with colorectal most cancers. An alleged believer in various medicines, many on social media puzzled if the actor’s wealth was wiped by paying out of pocket for remedies that weren’t lined by medical insurance coverage.
In an interview with Folks about his situation, Van Der Beek declined to enter particulars about his medical routine however shared, “When you’ve heard about it, I’ve most likely touched on it.”
Colorectal most cancers remedy sometimes consists of some mixture of chemotherapy, radiation and surgical procedures.
“This has been a crash course within the mastery of thoughts, physique, and spirit,” Van Der Beek stated within the Folks interview. “I assumed, ‘That is both going to take me out of the physique, or it’s going to show me how one can really reside in it.’”
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James Van Der Beek’s household raised over $1 million on GoFundMe following the “Dawson’s Creek” star’s dyingprompting many followers to name out the state of the U.S. healthcare system.
Hours after phrase broke about Van Der Beek’s passing, buddies of the actor launched the fundraising web page to assist his spouse and mother-of-six, Kimberly Van Der Beek, who skilled “monetary pressure” all through her husband’s most cancers battle.
“The household confronted not solely emotional challenges but additionally important monetary pressure as they did the whole lot attainable to assist James and supply for his care,” the message said. “Within the wake of this loss, Kimberly and the kids are dealing with an unsure future. The prices of James’s medical care and the prolonged battle in opposition to most cancers have left the household out of funds. They’re working exhausting to remain of their house and to make sure the kids can proceed their schooling and preserve some stability throughout this extremely tough time.”
The GoFundMe said that donations would assist cowl the prices of important residing bills, together with payments and schooling prices.
On the time of writing, practically 20,000 individuals had contributed to the web page, bringing the whole to $1,070,436. Oscar winner Zoe Saldaña and TV producer Julie Plec seemed to be among the many high donors, giving $2,500 a month and $5,000, respectively.
Many within the feedback thanked the late Van Der Beek —who died on the age of 48 on Wednesday following a battle with colorectal most cancers — for his contribution to popular culture by his appearing work.
“‘Dawson’s Creek’- and James as an actor- had been such a giant a part of my teen years,” one donor commented. “The present taught me a lot about buddies, love and life. Sending energy and light-weight to James’ household. He made an influence on so many people- and his legacy lives on.”
Nonetheless, the GoFundMe additionally sparked a dialog in regards to the healthcare flaws in the US, with one fan noting on X, “James Van Der Beek’s spouse has a GoFundMe to attempt to guarantee her youngsters don’t lose their house. That is the fact of America’s for revenue healthcare system.”
One other added: “What a horrendous state the US well being care system is in. Doubtlessly bankrupting individuals going by the hardest battle. Want his household all the very best, by this tough time.”
“For individuals speaking about ‘get screened,’ I’ve EXCELLENT healthcare protection and a familial historical past of colon most cancers,” a 3rd particular person famous. “I get colonoscopies each 3 years. It prices $2000-$4000 out of pocket each time with insurance coverage protection.”
Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) additionally weighed in on the state of affairs, writing“Tragically, even a beloved actor’s battle left his younger household drowning in medical debt and struggling to remain of their house. At this very second, federal Medicaid cuts are stripping healthcare from tens of millions of Californians. Greater than 2 million might lose protection this 12 months alone. We’re producing extra wealth than at any level in human historical past. However we nonetheless refuse to ensure healthcare to each American from the day they’re born. This isn’t only a coverage failure. It’s a ethical crime. It’s time to go Medicare for All and put human dignity forward of human greed.”
Van Der Beek was a late ’90s icon identified for starring as Dawson Leery on The WB’s “Dawson’s Creek” and as Jonathan “Mox” Moxon within the 1999 coming-of-age sports activities movie “Varsity Blues.” Different notable credit included “Don’t Belief the B—- in Residence 23,” “Texas Rangers,” “The Guidelines of Attraction,” “Sidelined,” “What Would Diplo Do?” and, most lately, “Overcompensating.”
