More than a year after going public with his stage 3 colorectal cancer diagnosis, James Van Der Beek is looking toward his future with optimism.

On Friday, Van Der Beek gave an emotional interview to NBC’s “Today” show in which he addressed fans’ concerns about his appearance at a “Dawson’s Creek” reunion event that took place in September.

The actor was scheduled to participate in a live reading of the pilot episode of the teen drama series with co-stars Katie Holmes, Joshua Jackson and Michelle Williams, but had to drop out due to two different stomach viruses. Instead, he expressed his regret at his absence with a pre-recorded video in which he appeared emaciated.

In his “Today” talk, Van Der Beek said his dramatic weight loss was “not related to cancer” but acknowledged that his overall health had impacted his experience with the virus.

“I had lost a lot of weight because of the stomach virus,” he explained. “Although, with cancer, it’s all like, ‘Why don’t we make that stomach bug bigger?'”

Watch a clip of James Van Der Beek on “Today” below.

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Although having to miss the meeting left Van Der Beek “crushed,” he was excited that his wife, Kimberly Brook, and their six children could attend the event in his place.

“They got a standing ovation just for taking their seats,” he said. “And all that love that would have otherwise been directed at me, was directed at my family. It was one of the most beautiful moments I’ve ever witnessed.”

Van Der Beek, 48, has kept a lower profile since making his diagnosis public. Still, he continued to take on various acting projects. Earlier this year, he appeared in two episodes of the Amazon Prime Video series “Overcompensating,” starring Benito Skinner.

James Van Der Beek addresses fans
“I would say the biggest change would be this journey of self-love,” James Van Der Beek said of how his life had changed since being diagnosed with stage 3 cancer.

JC Olivera/GA via Getty Images

She will also have a recurring role on “Elle,” the “Legally Blonde” prequel series that will be executive produced by Reese Witherspoon.

Last month, Van Der Beek began auctioning off “Dawson’s Creek” memorabilia, as well as items from his 1999 film “Varsity Blues” and other projects, to help cover his health care costs.

However, in his “Today” talk, he said he has come to see his illness as a “gift,” saying it reminds him that he is “still worthy of love.”

“I don’t think I knew what slowing down was before,” he said. “I don’t think I knew what it was like to really look at everything I eat, everything I put in my body. Really, the biggest change, I would say, would be this journey of self-love.”