James Van Der Beek Praises Wife Kimberly for Taking Care of Him amid Cancer Diagnosis in Sweet Valentine’s Day Post

Mar. 15, 2025

James Van Der Beek and Kimberly Van Der Beek attend the Los Angeles Special Screening of “SKIN” on July 11, 2019 in Hollywood, California.Photo:Michael Kovac/Getty

Michael Kovac/Getty

James Van Der Beekis spending another Valentine’s Day with his wife and sweetheartKimberly— but this time, he’s even more grateful for her love and support.TheDawson’s Creekalum, 47, took toInstagramon Feb. 14 to praise his wife for taking care of him amid his recentcancer diagnosis. The post features a carousel of photos showing the couple in a warm embrace.“I remember our first #valentinesday… waking up early in that apartment in New York to quietly dec it out with cheap drugstore decorations I’d bought,” the actor recalled in the caption. “All I wanted to do was take care of you. I never once thought there’d come a time when I’d need you to take care of me. But have you ever.”

“I’d like to say I chose my Valentine wisely. But I didn’t have any choice,” he continued. “I was a goner from the moment you interrupted me mid-sentence telling a friend I was ready to meet the real deal.”

On Nov. 3, 2024, PEOPLE broke the news that Van Der Beek had been diagnosed with colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer, per theAmerican Cancer Society, starts in the colon or the rectum, which make up the large intestine in the digestive system.

“I have colorectal cancer. I’ve been privately dealing with this diagnosis and have been taking steps to resolve it, with the support of my incredible family,” the star said in a statement at the time. “There’s reason for optimism, and I’m feeling good.”

In anexclusive conversation with PEOPLE, theVarsity Bluesactor opened up about his life since receiving the news at age 46.

“I’m never the person who asked for any help — ever. It’s not in my DNA," he said at the time. “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.”

James Van Der Beek and Kimberly Van Der Beek.James Van Der Beek Instagram

James Van Der Beek Instagram

Today, theyshare six kids: daughters Olivia, 14;  Annabel, 11; Emilia, 8; and Gwendolyn, 6; and sons Joshua, 12 and Jeremiah, 2.

With each addition to their family, the father-of-six has said their love has grown. “We have watched our lives change with each kid,” he told PEOPLE in 2019.

James and Kimberly Van Der Beek with their kids on Instagram.James VanDerBeek/Instagram

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Amid the diagnosis, Van Der Beek continues to work as an actor. In December, he stripped down alongsideAnthony Anderson,Taye Diggs,Chris Jones,Tyler PoseyandBruno Toniolifor a good cause.

The famous friends hosted a two-hour Fox special calledThe Real Full Monty, to raise awareness for prostate, testicular and colorectal cancer testing and research. Van Der Beek also starred in the Tubi original filmSidelined: The QB and Meand in one episode ofWalkerlast year.

source: people.com