As he manages his own amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, actor Eric Dane is also advocating for the continuation of the Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS Act, which is set to expire in 2026.
The actor, along with the nonprofit organization I AM ALS, spoke with U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Dublin) on Tuesday about the importance of the legislation, which provides funding for research and gives patients early access to treatments.
“So often, it takes all this time for these people to be diagnosed. Well, then it precludes them from being a part of these clinical trials,” Dane told Swalwell. “That’s why ACT for ALS is so, so great, and it’s because it broadens the access for everybody.”
Since then, the “Euphoria” actor has changed his approach to fighting his condition.
During an interview with “Good Morning America” in June, Dane expressed anger at the thought of being taken from his two young daughters. He said he was mad that history might repeat itself, as his father died when the “Grey’s Anatomy” alumnus was 7.
Months later, his frustration has turned into a fight to see his daughters’ lives play out.
“I want to see [my daughters], you know, graduate college, and get married and maybe have grandkids,” Dane told Swalwell. “You know, I want to be there for all that. So I’m going to fight to the last breath on this one.”
In the video posted on TikTok by the representative, Dane speaks with a slight slur but his words echo his fight to live on.
About 5,000 people are newly diagnosed with ALS each year in the U.S., according to the National ALS Registry. It affects the nerve cells in the brain that control movement, which eventually leads to the loss of the ability to speak, move, swallow and breathe.
Times staff writers Christie D’Zurilla and Kaitlyn Huamanicontributed to this report.
ERIC Dane did not appear at the Emmy Awards despite a scheduled appearance.
The Grey’s Anatomy alum, 52, had been previously announced as a presenter for the swanky TV ceremony on Sunday, September 14.
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Eric Dane broke down in tears while presenting at the Emmy Awards on SundayCredit: Getty
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The actor recently opened up about his health struggles following his ALS diagnosisCredit: YouTube/Good Morning America
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Eric recently revealed that he’d completely lost the ability to use his right handCredit: Getty
Eric did not provide an explanation for his sudden absence.
The awards ceremony was expected to be Eric’s first major event since he opened up about his health battle in June during an appearance on Good Morning America.
Eric first announced his battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, otherwise known as ALS, in April in an interview with People.
“I have been diagnosed with ALS,” the TV star shared. “I am grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter.”
Eric shares two children, Billie Beatrice, 15, and Georgia Geraldine, 13, with his wife, Rebecca Gayheart.
‘IT’S SOBERING’
He has since been more vocal about how the disease has significantly impacted him mentally and physically.
During a sit-down with Diane Sawyer on GMA, Eric revealed his left arm is the only one functioning, as his right had “completely stopped working.”
“I feel like maybe a couple more months and I won’t have my left hand either. It’s sobering,” the Euphoria star said at the time.
Eric explained that he first noticed something wasn’t right after experiencing “weakness” and “fatigue” in his right hand.
Although he at first brushed it off, chalking the symptoms up to “texting too much,” it soon worsened leading him to see numerous specialists.
Eric Dane Opens Up About Leaving Grey’s Anatomy
After nine months, Eric received the heartbreaking diagnosis that he had the incurable disease.
“I will never forget those three letters,” the Borderline star said.
“It’s on me the second I wake up. It’s not a dream.”
Eric then admitted that he feared the moment he loses cognitive function in the rest of his body.
Why is it called Lou Gehrig’s disease?
ALS, the most common type of MND, is also known as Charcot disease and Lou Gehrig’s disease.
Henry Louis “Lou” Gehrig was born in the US in 1903, and was a successful baseball player.
He held many records in his day, including the most career grand slams, 23, broken in 2013, and the most consecutive games played, 2,130 which stood for 56 years.
Nicknamed The Iron Horse, he had a stellar career but his performance nosedived, and he was diagnosed with ALS on his 36th birthday in June 1939.
Two days after his diagnosis, he retired from the sport and his condition was made public.
Just two years later, on June 2 1941, Gehrig passed away.
Due to his fame, ALS is commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease in North America.
“I’m worried about my legs,” he revealed.
The Last Ship star experienced a terrifying incident a couple of months earlier when he needed to be rescued by his daughter after suddenly losing the ability to swim during a boat trip.
“When I jumped into the ocean that day and realized I couldn’t generate enough power to get myself to the boat. I thought, oh god. I’m not safe to be in the water,” Eric, who was a competitive swimmer and athlete in high school, said.
“She dragged me back to the boat. I was breaking down in tears. I made sure she got back in the water and continued snorkeling with the guide. But I was heartbroken.”
Despite the long road Eric has ahead of him, he’s determined to battle the disease head-on.
“I just don’t feel like in my heart this is the end of me. I’m fighting as much as I can,” the Countdown star declared.
ALS, additionally referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a common degenerative neurological disorder that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.
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Eric is a father to two daughters, Billie Beatrice and Georgia GeraldineCredit: Getty
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The TV star shares his kids with his wife, Rebecca GayheartCredit: Getty
