News | Entertainment
18 Jan 2026 4:35
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
     17 Jan: David Harbour has found psychotherapy to be transformative for him
     17 Jan: Teyana Taylor was congratulated by her daughters after her Golden Globes success
     17 Jan: Tom Brady has been "in the gym too much"
     17 Jan: Spencer Pratt felt isolated in the aftermath of the Los Angeles fires in 2025
     17 Jan: Ben Affleck wants his children to follow their own passions in life
     17 Jan: Nikki Glaser cut a joke about Timothee Chalamet's sex life from her Golden Globes routine
     17 Jan: Paul Hardcastle's son has died in a motorcycle accident
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Former All Blacks wing Grant Batty is being remembered for his bravery on the rugby field and ability to energise a crowd More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    An additional OCR cut is not expected for a while, and there even could be a hike More...



     Today's News

    Living & Travel:
    Three Lotto tickets are each now worth $333,333, sharing Division One's million dollar prize from this evening's draw 21:56

    Entertainment:
    David Harbour has found psychotherapy to be transformative for him 21:53

    Entertainment:
    Teyana Taylor was congratulated by her daughters after her Golden Globes success 21:23

    International:
    A bipartisan group of US senators have visited Greenland as President Donald Trump continues to threatening to takeover the Arctic island 21:16

    Entertainment:
    Tom Brady has been "in the gym too much" 20:53

    Entertainment:
    Spencer Pratt felt isolated in the aftermath of the Los Angeles fires in 2025 20:23

    Entertainment:
    Ben Affleck wants his children to follow their own passions in life 19:53

    Entertainment:
    Nikki Glaser cut a joke about Timothee Chalamet's sex life from her Golden Globes routine 19:23

    Motoring:
    A vehicle fire has closed part of State Highway 1 in North Otago 18:57

    Entertainment:
    Paul Hardcastle's son has died in a motorcycle accident 18:53


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd