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Dawson's Creek alum James Van Der Beek was diagnosed with Stage 3 colorectal cancer in 2024 and has since learned a slew of life lessons.
"It has been the hardest year of my life, and I wanted to share something that I learned with y’all," the star revealed in an Instagram video reflecting on takeaways from his "48th trip around the sun." The standout unveiled that, for the longest time, he defined himself as an actor. The title was replaced by "husband" when he was married and "father" when he had kids. From that moment on, he thought of himself as a "loving, capable, strong, supportive husband, father, and provider."
Everything changed when Van Der Beek discovered he had cancer.
"This year I had to look my own mortality in the eye. I had to come nose to nose with death. And all of those definitions I cared so deeply about were stripped from me. I was away for treatment so I could no longer be a husband that was there for my wife. I could no longer be a father who could pick up his kids, put them to bed, and be there for them. I could not be a provider because I wasn't working."
Through deep reflection he realized that, despite his thoughts tearing apart his character, he was "worthy of God's love simply because I exist." It was this epiphany that pulled him out of a very low place as he pondered, "If I am worthy of God's love, shouldn't I be worthy of my own?"
For more on the star's diagnosis, read: James Van Der Beek Recalls Going Into 'Shock' After Cancer Diagnosis.
Watch Van Der Beek reflect on his 48th year below.