'I Won't Get To Be There': James Van Der Beek Sparks New Health Fears After Dropping Out of 'Dawson's Creek' Reunion due to 'Illness' Amid Cancer Battle

James Van Der Beek has ignited health concerns once again after he was forced to withdraw from the highly anticipated Dawson’s Creek reunion event.

RadarOnline.com reports that the 48-year-old actor, who was set to read the pilot alongside his original co-stars during a charity event on Monday, September 22, expressed his disappointment, stating he was “gutted” to miss out after falling victim to two stomach viruses.

The former teen heartthrob’s health issues surface amid his ongoing battle with cancer.

In an emotional message shared on Instagram, he stated: “This is the evening I’d been looking forward to MOST since my angel Michelle Williams said she was putting it together back in January.

“Imagine my dismay when two stomach viruses teamed up to incapacitate me at such a critical moment. Despite my best efforts… I won’t be able to attend. I won’t have the chance to stand on that stage and express my gratitude to everyone in the theater for coming together for me, and for the battle against cancer that I desperately need.”

His wife, Kimberly, confirmed via social media that she and their children will be attending the event on his behalf, which is taking place at the Richard Rodgers Theatre in New York City.

In her response to fans, she mentioned, “It was important to him that we come!!” after her husband announced he wouldn’t make the event.

Van Der Beek did not share news of his cancer diagnosis until approximately a year had passed. Recently, he opened up about the condition, revealing, “there wasn’t any red flag or something glaring” regarding his symptoms.

He mentioned, “I was healthy, actively engaging in cold plunges, and in excellent cardiovascular shape, yet I was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer without realizing it.”

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The Varsity Blues star acknowledged he was unaware he was overdue for screenings, stating, “Before my diagnosis, I didn’t know much about colorectal cancer. I thought the screening age was still 50 when it had actually dropped to 45.”

After participating in The Masked Singer, Van Der Beek shared that he is now in a “healing phase.” He expressed optimism, saying, “I feel like I can see the finish line… I’m in a healing phase, which feels great,” during an update in March.