News | Entertainment
27 Feb 2026 22:01
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    James Van Der Beek is selling 'Varsity Blues' merchandise to raise funds for families facing the "financial burden of cancer" amid his own battle with the disease

    The 47-year-old actor - who played Mox in the 1999 coming-of-age sports comedy drama - is donating all the proceeds from the sale of the signed jerseys to families, including his own, whose pockets have been hit by those battling cancer after he recently revealed he has colorectal cancer


    He shared to Instagram: "Merch drop! Excited to celebrate the 25th anniversary of #VarsityBlues 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.

    "100 per cent of my net proceeds will go to families recovering from the financial burden of cancer (including my own)."

    James' fundraising efforts come after he reflected on his "tough year" amid his health battle.

    In a post on Instagram, he wrote: "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.

    "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.

    "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."

    He went on to thank his wife Kimberly Brook for showing him "unconditional love" throughout such a tough time.

    James wrote: "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."

    He added of the couple's six children: "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."

    James previously admitted he struggled to find the energy to tell his loved ones about his health crisis, but he's determined to look at his cancer as "curable".

    He told PEOPLE: "Telling people required a lot of energy. I'm an empath. I like to take care of everybody. I'm a provider, and especially at that point, I was trying to be Superman and be all things to all people and be a dad and a provider.

    "And so to have to tell people and my father and my siblings and my kids, it was really tricky ... I just kind of went into it with the same attitude that this is curable. I can handle this, but this is what's going on."

    The former 'Dawson's Creek' star also admitted he finds it hard to ask for help, but he's been overwhelmed by all the love and support he's been given since his diagnosis.

    James added: "It was amazing. I'm never the person who asked for any help - ever. It's not in my DNA. And I thought that was a fine way to be until cancer.

    "The way friends showed up was such a beautiful experience - and I would never have otherwise seen how much people care about me."

    © 2026 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     27 Feb: Drew Barrymore travels down "memory lane" when looking at pictures of herself from her 1990s heyday
     27 Feb: Cruz Beckham's 21st birthday celebrations have gone on for a week
     27 Feb: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have arrived at the World Health Organisation's country office in Amman
     27 Feb: Jameela Jamil has called out women at the BAFTAs for being "scarily thin"
     27 Feb: Sinitta has described her marriage to Andy Willner as a "revenge move" aimed at Simon Cowell
     27 Feb: Jennifer Garner has spoken candidly about the realities of co-parenting her three children with her former husband
     27 Feb: Martin Short endured a series of personal tragedies before the death of his daughter Katherine Hartley Short - including the deaths of his parents, brother and former wife
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Fa'alogo Tana Umaga is reminding his players the only thing they can control is their own effort More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    The Commerce Commission has issued guidance on changes to gift card rules More...



     Today's News

    Entertainment:
    Drew Barrymore travels down "memory lane" when looking at pictures of herself from her 1990s heyday 21:51

    Entertainment:
    Cruz Beckham's 21st birthday celebrations have gone on for a week 21:21

    Rugby:
    Fa'alogo Tana Umaga is reminding his players the only thing they can control is their own effort 21:17

    Entertainment:
    The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have arrived at the World Health Organisation's country office in Amman 20:51

    Entertainment:
    Jameela Jamil has called out women at the BAFTAs for being "scarily thin" 20:21

    Entertainment:
    Sinitta has described her marriage to Andy Willner as a "revenge move" aimed at Simon Cowell 19:51

    Entertainment:
    Jennifer Garner has spoken candidly about the realities of co-parenting her three children with her former husband 19:21

    Soccer:
    A huge 8-nil win over Samoa for the Football Ferns in their Fifa World Cup qualifier in Honiara 18:57

    Politics:
    An economist says benefit sanctions aren't working 18:57

    Entertainment:
    Martin Short endured a series of personal tragedies before the death of his daughter Katherine Hartley Short - including the deaths of his parents, brother and former wife 18:51


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd