You may be most familiar with Patti Murin from her exuberant and joyful performances in Hallmark films like “In Merry Measure” or “Mystic Christmas.” Perhaps you know her from her video messages featuring her favorite Advent calendars. But on Feb. 12, the message she had required a more serious tone.
“Hey everyone, it is Feb. 12, and this is sort of a funny one,” she began her Instagram video. “Because, as I’m sure you know, James Van Der Beek, star of so many TV shows that I loved and grew up on, passed away yesterday of colorectal cancer.” She continued, urging fans to remember their cancer screenings.
‘Too Young’: Murin’s Sobering Message Post-Tragedy Encourages Health Checks
While Murin didn’t seem to know the “Dancing With the Stars” alum personally, it was obvious that his death hit her hard. “He was 48, which is just…” the “Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story” star said, getting emotional. “I’m just so frustrated with the people who are so young and so vibrant and so wonderful dying way too soon.”
“Now, the way the universe works, I actually happen to be going for my first colonoscopy tomorrow,” she continued. She then explained what she had to endure before going in for the procedure.
“But then tomorrow we go in, and I get knocked out for a bit, and they just make sure everything’s okay,” she continued. “So, if you are 45 and you have not done this yet, and you are able to, I’m asking you to join me in this experience. Because obviously, it’s important. I feel like at this point in time, 45 is too late, sometimes, to do that.”
Patti Murin Urges Women to Get Mammograms Earlier Than Recommended Age
After making her case for colonoscopies, Murin moved on to mammograms, suggesting that the earlier, the better. While mammogram screenings aren’t mandatory in the U.S. until age 45, she noted that she’s known “So many women who have gotten breast cancer, and they were 30, 35 years old.”
She also shared a personal story that underscores why she is a strong advocate for staying current with screenings.
“Because my mom was so up with her mammograms, she detected cancer very early, a few years ago,” Murin revealed. “And so, she got it taken care of. She had minimal treatment, some radiation, and that was that. And it made me get up on my mammograms and stuff. They found a lump last year, did a biopsy, totally benign. But now I know, and I’m just so much more familiar with everything that’s happening in my breasts.”
“This is my ask for you to, please,” she added. “If you are able, pay attention to your health in all ways.”
