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A GoFundMe set up for the widow of actor James Van Der Beek and their six children has raised more than $1.6 million since it was published yesterday.<\/span><\/p>\n The 48-year-old \u201cDawson\u2019s Creek\u201d star died Wednesday following a battle with colorectal cancer. The fundraiser<\/a> is meant to \u201chelp cover essential living expenses, pay bills, and support the children\u2019s education.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cJames Van Der Beek was a beloved husband, father, and friend who touched the lives of everyone around him. After a long and courageous battle with cancer, James passed away on February 11, 2026 leaving behind his devoted wife, Kimberly, and their six wonderful children. Throughout his 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 the GoFundMe description says.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIn the wake of this loss, Kimberly and the children are facing an uncertain future. The costs of James\u2019s medical care and the extended fight against cancer have depleted the family\u2019s 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<\/span><\/p>\n Prior to his death, Van Der Beek partnered with the auction company Propstore to sell some of the items he had accumulated over the course of his career to help pay for his medical bills, as The Daily Wire previously <\/span>reported<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve been storing these treasures for years, waiting for the right time to do something with them, and with all of the recent unexpected twists and turns life has presented recently, it\u2019s clear that the time is now,\u201d Van Der Beek said in a statement in November.<\/span><\/p>\n He added, \u201cWhile I have some nostalgia tugging at me as I part with these items, it feels good to be able to offer them through Propstore\u2019s auction to share with those who have supported my work over the years.\u201d Items sold at auction in December included memorabilia from both the teen drama series \u201cDawson\u2019s Creek\u201d and the popular film \u201cVarsity Blues\u201d (1999).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n More than 32,000 people have contributed to the GoFundMe as of Thursday afternoon, including actress Zoe Salda\u00f1a, who set up a recurring donation of $2,500 a month. Celebrities Derek Hough, Ricki Lake, Lydia Hearst, and Kaley Cuoco also made donations.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The top donation of $25,000 came from Guardant Health, a biotech company based in Palo Alto. \u201cJames was the first brand ambassador for Guardant Health and our Shield\u2122 blood test for colorectal cancer screening, reflecting our shared belief in the power of patient voices,\u201d the company wrote<\/a> in an X post shared Wednesday.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIt was an honor to witness the unwavering commitment he demonstrated over the past year to raising awareness of colorectal cancer and encouraging more people to get screened. His voice and advocacy will leave a lasting mark on the fight against colorectal cancer.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n