Kimberly Van Der Beek, the widow of actor James Van Der Beek, has received more than $1 million in donations from a GoFundMe campaign set up by friends of the family. The fundraiser was launched after the Dawson's Creek star died on Wednesday at the age of 48 following a battle with stage 3 colorectal cancer.
The campaign initially aimed to raise $500,000 but reached that target within four hours. The goal was then increased to $700,000, and the total has now surpassed $1 million. The funds are intended to cover essential living expenses, bills, and the children's education, as the family faced significant financial strain due to the cost of James's medical care.
In a statement on the fundraiser page, friends wrote: 'James Van Der Beek was a beloved husband, father, and friend who touched the lives of everyone around him. Throughout his illness, the family faced not only emotional challenges but also significant financial strain.' The message added that the costs of his medical care and extended fight against cancer had left the family out of funds.
Kimberly shared a link to the GoFundMe on Instagram, expressing gratitude and a broken heart. Van Der Beek had previously spoken about the financial burden of cancer treatment, auctioning off memorabilia from Dawson's Creek and the film Varsity Blues in November 2024 to help cover costs.
Tributes have poured in from fans and peers, including Sarah Michelle Gellar and Chad Michael Murray. In September 2025, Michelle Williams organised a live charity reading of the first episode of Dawson's Creek, raising money for the charity F Cancer. Van Der Beek was unable to attend due to illness but appeared via video message.
