Give a little bit

We're living in a world where even Hollywood celebrities think it's acceptable to ask for financial donations. Do they really need rescuing or has GoFundMe simply normalised handouts?

- STORY STEPHANIE COOMBES

It's become the go-to advice in times of crisis: "Why don't you set up a GoFundMe page?" Whether it's illness, natural disaster or falling on hard times - even contributions to holiday and wedding funds in some cases - asking for donations has taken on a life of its own in the form of crowdfunding. And GoFundMe is making it all possible.

The popular American social fundraising platform has taken the shame out of asking for money. In fact, it has normalised it to the extent that even celebrities have jumped on the bandwagon - most recently American actor James Van Der Beek, who in the late '90s was one of Hollywood's most recognisable faces. At age 20, Van Der Beek shot to fame playing Dawson Leery on US series Dawson's Creek.

In recent years, Van Der Beek had mostly eased out of Hollywood. There was a steady stream of work - voice acting, recurring sitcom roles, reality TV - but nothing like Dawson's Creek.

Then, in 2024, he made a public announcement - he'd been diagnosed with stage three colorectal cancer. His battle with the illness was short and, in early February 2026, Van Der Beek's wife, Kimberly, announced his death in an Instagram post. The actor was only 48 years old and left behind six children.

Within a few days, a GoFundMe page had been set up to support his family. The response was immediate - donations poured in.

"The costs of James's medical care and the extended fight against cancer have left the family out of funds," the page said. "They are working hard to stay in their home and to ensure the children can continue their education and maintain some stability during this incredibly difficult time."

But what does 'out of funds' mean when you're the family of a Hollywood star? There were no further details. That didn't stop the donations. At time of writing, more than US$2.8 million dollars have been raised for Van Der Beek's family on GoFundMe.