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James Van Der Beek, who revealed earlier this month that he was diagnosed with colorectal cancer, took time out on Turkey Day to acknowledge how grateful he is for “this new relationship I have to my body.”
Van Der Beek posted a picture of his “blond army” on Instagram Nov. 28 and wrote how “it’s been a tough year … and I’m thankful for it.” Colorectal cancer is a form of cancer that develops in the colon or rectum. This type of cancer affects the large intestine and digestion, with a lifetime risk for men of 1 in 23. Early versions of the disease begin as noncancerous forms called polyps.
“It’s been a tough year… and I’m thankful for all of it,” the Dawson’s Creek actor wrote. “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. And 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.”
In December, Van Der Beek is set to appear on The Real Full Monty, a two-hour special also featuring Taye Diggs, Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones and veteran Dancing with the Stars judge Bruno Tonioli as they strip down to raise awareness for prostate, testicular and colorectal cancer testing and research.
Earlier this year, he signed on to star in Sidelined: The QB and Me, an upcoming Tubi Original based on Wattpad’s breakout YA novel The QB Bad Boy and Me by Tay Marley. The actor also recently appeared in an episode of Walker.
