James Van Der Beek Was ‘Emanating Love’ in Final Days, Says Friend Erin Fetherston (Exclusive)

James and Kimberly Van Der Beek’s close friend, designer Erin Fetherston, was able to spend time with the actor in his final days.

“Extra” spoke with Erin, who got emotional about their last moments together, stressing the family's very real and urgent need for support for James' widow Kimberly and their six kids.

"We all really held faith for a positive, miraculous outcome until the very end," she shared.

Erin said, "James and Kimberly maintained such positivity through this journey, such high consciousness, always holding for a miracle, doing everything they could, trying everything. I mean, James, he put so much effort with all his strength to do this, and he did it with such grace, with a smile, still taking time to ask, 'How are you doing? What can I do for you?' I just did not imagine that this could happen."

Erin said of those final days, “I’m so grateful that I had the chance to do that and say goodbye and see him. And even at the end, you know, I said to Kimberly, like, 'He’s still beautiful, after everything he’s been through, and he’s still emanating his love.'”

“I’m grateful I got to say goodbye in person and be there with the family and hug the beautiful children,” Erin continued. “There was a beautiful community around James, and I think he really felt supported by all the love and the people who were able to be there at the end."

Erin added fondly, "You know, he was just absolutely his authentic self until the very end — including people, making everyone a family, helping us all connect to one another. And he leaves behind this incredible legacy of the most beautiful, kind family and the most beautiful family of friends that would have never found one another had it not been for James and Kimberly and their open-hearted, generous way of living."

Erin also reacted to the GoFundMe that was created to help James' family after his passing, which has received over $2 million in donations.

She said, “I’m just so happy and grateful that so many people feel moved in their hearts the way that those of us close feel. There is a sincere and urgent need here for the family. They have really been through it, and I just want to thank everyone on their behalf who has given and who may feel inspired to give."

The amount of funds raised so far shows James’ impact, according to Erin.

She stressed, “These are six children who are facing life without a father. Their amazing mother Kimberly has been a devoted wife and mom. She’s had six children and been public about losing babies along the way. She has been in the space of motherhood and supporting James all of these years. Now, she’s really left to pick up the pieces.”

Fetherston added, “By supporting them, you’re helping them just maintain some stability in their life after going through a terribly challenging, painful, and heartbreaking journey that has ended in the loss of their father."

Erin pointed out that James wasn’t really able to work for the past two years during his cancer battle.

"They tried everything to save his life," Erin said, "And it's just so hard that he's gone now, and now also to be facing financial instability after already losing such a tremendous parent is nothing that I want to see them go through."

James was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer in 2023 at age 46 after requesting a colonoscopy.

Reacting to the tributes pouring in for James, Erin said she has seen a common thread, "He felt like everybody's brother. He really made everyone feel like family."

She added, "I think what was special about James is he also, you know, he was so humble. He was always working harder. He was always trying to be his best, and he was always working on living a life from the heart, and he just sort of let everyone else come on for the ride."

"He touched so many people in such a profound way," she insisted. "He was so sincere, he was so loving."

Fetherston summed it up, "There's so may things we can say about James, especially with the public life he led as an actor, but I just feel like... you know, he had this gift of being present, and he treated everyone as if they were important and deserving of his time, of attention, and he was just so kind."

Click here if you'd like to contribute to the Van Der Beek family GoFundMe.