James Van Der Beek‘s close friend swears the family is in dire need of money following his battle with colorectal cancer.
After the heartbreaking news broke that the Dawson’s Creek alum passed away at 48 on Wednesday morning, friends launched a GoFundMe campaign to help raise money for his wife, Kimberly Van Der Beek, and their six children: Olivia, Joshua, Annabel, Emilia, Gwendolyn, and Jeremiah. The description revealed that the family suffered “not only emotional challenges but also significant financial strain” while trying to give James the best possible support and care amid his cancer battle.
Related: Alfonso Ribeiro Shares Heartbreaking Photo Of ‘Last Moment’ With James
Following his loss, Kimberly and the kids were “facing an uncertain future” as they were “out of funds” due to the Varsity Blue star’s medical care costs in the US healthcare system. They were hoping to get as many donations as possible to “help cover essential living expenses, pay bills, and support the children’s education.”
And it’s not an exaggeration, according to designer Erin Fetherston, a close friend of James. She told ExtraTV on Thursday that there really is an “urgent need” for money for the Van Der Beek family:
“I’m just so happy and grateful that so many people feel moved in their hearts the way that those of us close feel. There is a sincere and urgent need here for the family. They have really been through it, and I just want to thank everyone on their behalf who has given and who may feel inspired to give.”
Thankfully, so many people, including celebrities such as Steven Spielberg and wife, Kate Capshaw, Zoe Saldaña, and Jonathan M. Chu, are rallying around Kimberly and the children and donating money to the cause! They’ve raised over $2 million so far! Incredible!
Following his colorectal cancer battle, Erin explained that Kimberly is struggling to keep her head above water right now, as she spent years being a stay-at-home mom and helping James:
“These are six children who are facing life without a father. Their amazing mother Kimberly has been a devoted wife and mom. She’s had six children and been public about losing babies along the way. She has been in the space of motherhood and supporting James all of these years. Now, she’s really left to pick up the pieces. By supporting them, you’re helping them just maintain some stability in their life after going through a terribly challenging, painful, and heartbreaking journey that has ended in the loss of their father.”
And unfortunately, over these past two years, Erin shared that James wasn’t able to work. She continued:
“They tried everything to save his life. And it’s just so hard that he’s gone now and also to be facing after already losing such a tremendous parent is nothing that I want to see them go through.”
It’s hard enough to grieve the loss of a loved one, so we’re glad everyone came together to help ease the financial struggles for the family. It’s one less thing they’ll have to worry about, hopefully, during this incredibly difficult time.
Erin went on to say that those close to James really hoped for a miracle before he died:
“We all really held faith for a positive, miraculous outcome until the very end. James and Kimberly maintained such positivity through this journey, such high consciousness, always holding for a miracle, doing everything they could, trying everything. I mean, James, he put so much effort with all his strength to do this, and he did it with such grace, with a smile, still taking time to ask, ‘How are you doing? What can I do for you?’ I just did not imagine that this could happen.”
James just sounds like such a great guy. Everyone, even his own ex-wife, has had nothing but kind things to say about him.
Erin then expressed how grateful she is that she got to say one last goodbye to James:
“I had the chance to do that and say goodbye and see him. And even at the end, you know, I said to Kimberly, like, ‘He’s still beautiful.’ After everything he’s been through, he’s still emanating his love.”
She even posted a picture of their last moment together on Instagram. Swipe to the last slide (below):
View this post on Instagram
Ultimately, Erin said seeing a “beautiful community” supporting James has been so beautiful to see:
“I think he really felt supported by all the love and the people who were able to be there at the end. He was just absolutely his authentic self until the very end — including people, making everyone a family, helping us all connect to one another. He leaves behind this incredible legacy of the most beautiful, kind family, and the most beautiful family of friends that would have never found one another had it not been for James and Kimberly and their open-hearted, generous way of living.”
Wow. James was so clearly loved and will be so missed.
Hopefully, Kimberly is feeling a little bit less stressed about her and the kids’ financial situation now that so many people have stepped up to help amid her grief. You can donate to the GoFundMe HERE.
[Image via James Van Der Beek/Erin Fetherston/Instagram]
The post James Van Der Beek's Friend Says The 'Urgent Need' For Money His Family Has After Cancer Battle Is Sincere: 'They Have Really Been Through It' appeared first on Perez Hilton.