GLOBAL – American actor James Van Der Beek, 48, is auctioning treasured memorabilia from his television and film career to help cover the costs of his treatment for colorectal cancer, a move that casts a harsh light on the high price of healthcare in the United States and resonates deeply with the financial struggles of cancer patients in Kenya. The items will be sold at Propstore’s annual Winter Entertainment Memorabilia Live Auction, which runs from Thursday, 5 December to Saturday, 7 December 2025, EAT.

Van Der Beek, widely known for his leading role in the popular 1990s series Dawson's Creek, publicly disclosed his diagnosis in November 2024. He was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer in the summer of 2023 after seeking medical advice for persistent symptoms. In a statement to People magazine, the actor noted that after “unexpected twists and turns,” the time was right to part with items he had stored for years, including an outfit from Dawson's Creek and memorabilia from the 1999 film Varsity Blues.

A Global Problem with Local Resonance

The actor's decision to sell personal assets underscores the concept of "financial toxicity"—the severe economic hardship faced by patients and their families during cancer treatment. In the U.S., the average cost of cancer treatment is approximately $150,000 per patient, according to AARP. The U.S. National Cancer Institute (NCI) projected that national expenditures for cancer care would reach $208.9 billion in 2020, a figure expected to rise with an aging population and the development of more expensive treatments.

While Van Der Beek's situation is rooted in the American healthcare system, it mirrors the grim reality for many Kenyans. Cancer is the third leading cause of death in Kenya, with an annual incidence of over 44,000 new cases, according to 2022 GLOBOCAN estimates cited by the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI). Colorectal cancer is among the five most common cancers in the country. A 2025 study noted that awareness of colorectal cancer in rural Kenya was particularly low, at just 34.6%, contributing to late diagnoses when treatment is less effective and more costly. More than 70% of cancer cases in Kenya are diagnosed at an advanced stage.

The financial burden on Kenyan families is catastrophic. According to the Kenya Network of Cancer Organisations (KENCO), families can spend an average of KSh 3.8 million a year on treatment. Chemotherapy costs alone can range from KSh 50,000 to KSh 500,000 per cycle, and advanced treatments like immunotherapy can cost up to KSh 500,000 per session, rendering them inaccessible for most.

Insurance Gaps and Out-of-Pocket Crisis

Kenya's Social Health Authority (SHA), which replaced the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF), provides some relief but is often insufficient. The oncology package was recently raised to KSh 500,000 per year, yet patient advocacy groups report this is inadequate. A KENCO survey revealed that 60% of patients exhaust their annual SHA cover, with over a third running out of benefits in less than three months. This forces families to pay out-of-pocket, take loans, sell assets, or abandon treatment altogether. The situation is exacerbated by non-medical costs such as transportation and lodging, which are significant barriers for patients in rural areas who must travel to urban centers for care.

Van Der Beek has used his platform to raise awareness beyond his personal fundraising. In 2024, he participated in The Real Full Monty, a television special designed to encourage screening for prostate, testicular, and colorectal cancer. His actions highlight a universal narrative: whether in Nairobi or Los Angeles, a cancer diagnosis is not just a health crisis but often a devastating financial one. The actor's auction serves as a high-profile example of the extraordinary measures patients must take to afford life-saving care, a reality familiar to countless families across Kenya and the world.