Dawson’s Creek Star Reveals Private Cancer Battle and Cast Rally for James Van Der Beek

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In Capeside history, a new chapter spills out as Mary-Margaret Humes, the actor who portrayed Gale Leery on Dawson’s Creek, reveals she privately battled colon cancer in 2007, a decade before the show’s reunion buzz intensified. The 71-year-old actress shares this intimate detail just as the iconic cast gears up for a charity reunion to support James Van Der Beek, who announced in 2024 that he has stage 3 colorectal cancer. Yes, the same ensemble that defined late 90s teen drama is trading screen kisses for real-world care and support, all while trying to keep the vibe uplifting rather than morose.

Humes opened up in an Us Weekly interview, describing the moment she realized her illness was potentially life altering but noting early detection kept the crisis manageable. Her doctor’s assessment that she “dodged a bullet” underscores the life-saving importance of screenings, a message she emphasizes to fans and, more pointedly, to Van Der Beek as he confronts his own health journey. It’s a story that blends star power with sobering medical realities, reminding us all that celebrities are not immune to the same battles many fans face.

The upcoming Dawson’s Creek cast charity read-through, planned as a live pilot reading, aims to raise funds for Van Der Beek. The lineup is a synthetic reunion: Katie Holmes, Michelle Williams, Busy Philipps, Joshua Jackson, Mary Beth Peil, John Wesley Shipp, Nina Repeta, Kerr Smith, and Meredith Monroe are slated to participate. James Van Der Beek himself will also be center stage, joined behind the scenes by director Jason Moore and a producing slate that includes Williams, her husband Thomas Kail, and series creator Kevin Williamson. The intention is twofold: celebrate the show’s origin and rally around a friend facing a difficult medical journey.

Williamson has spoken warmly about reuniting with the cast for this cause, calling Dawson’s Creek a life-changing project that created a global fandom. He frames the event as a testament to enduring friendship and mutual support, while Williams echoes the Capeside bond, noting that the gathering is about standing by a “dear friend” and honoring fans who’ve stuck with the show for decades. For fans, this isn’t just a nostalgia trip; it’s a live instance of the show’s old-school camaraderie turning into practical support for a real-life health scare.

The “HAPPY HOURS” project, with Holmes and Jackson and other Creek alums, has already signaled that the cast remains creatively productive even as they lean into personal trials. The narrative here centers on resilience, mutual aid, and the timeless appeal of a family that extends beyond the screen.

So yes, while the reunion doubles as a tribute, it’s also a reminder that survivorship stories—whether tied to cancer or to a beloved TV milestone—are where real headlines happen. The question now is what other details will surface as the cast continues to rally around Van Der Beek and as Humes’ own cancer history adds texture to the broader Dawson’s Creek legacy.

What to watch next: keep an eye on how the charity read-through unfolds, and whether more cast members reveal personal health journeys as the fundraiser gains momentum.

Sources: Celebrity Storm and Us Weekly; People Magazine; New York Post
Attribution: div class=’fn’ Tea at Abbot Academy: Barbara Humes, Helen Dearborn Bean; Margaret Snow; Evelyn Mann Rumney; Marie Craig; Olivia Mathews; Kate Friskin; Marguerite Hearsey; Helen Dunford Robinson; Hilda Ruby Baynes; M. Dorothy Baker; Laura Keziah Pettingell, Florence Butterfield/div (CC BY-SA 4.0) (OV)