Grey’s Anatomy actor Eric Dane has launched a new campaign calling for more funding for ALS research and treatments after he was diagnosed with the incurable degenerative condition.
Eric Dane has launched a new campaign calling for more funding for ALS research and treatments.
The Grey’s Anatomy actor, 52, announced in April that he is battling the incurable degenerative condition – which is formally known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and impacts the nervous system and causes muscle paralysis – and he’s now fronting the new Push for Progress, campaign for the I am ALS organisation.
In a video posted on the non-profit group’s Instagram page, Eric is seen wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with the slogan ‘I am ALS’ as he says: “I’m Eric. An actor, a father and now a person living with ALS.
“For over a century, ALS has been incurable, and we’re done accepting the status quo. We need the fastest path to a cure and that’s why I partnered with I AM ALS on the Push for Progress. Our goal? A billion dollars over the next three years.
“Together, we’ll renew the landmark law ACT for ALS, get promising treatments to thousands of patients like me. And finally, finally push towards ending this disease.”
He concluded the video by adding: “There’s so much to learn. More to do and we have to do it now. Visit the link below to donate. Get involved and be a part of pushing for progress.”
The video was posted on Instagram with the caption: “We’re thrilled to announce Push for Progress, a groundbreaking campaign to accelerate ALS research, expand access to treatments, and secure $1 billion in federal funding for ALS over the next three years.
“I AM ALS – called the ‘most successful patient advocacy movement of the 21st century – is launching this campaign now because ALS is at a tipping point.
“New treatments are within reach, but thousands of people living with ALS will lose access unless we take action.”
The video’s release comes after Eric was absent from the Emmy Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday night (14.09.25) after previously signing up to present one of the prizes alongside fellow Grey’s Anatomy star Jesse Williams.
Emmy Awards producer Jesse Collins later revealed no reason was given for the star’s decision not to attend, telling Variety: “I don’t know the details of that. I just was told that he wasn’t able to make it. And fortunately, Jesse was able to present by himself.”
Eric previously revealed he’s currently taking medication for his symptoms, as well as participating in a research study because he is willing to explore all the options available to him.
Eric told Good Morning America: “I will fly to Germany and eat the head off a rattlesnake if you told me that that would help.”
The Euphoria actor was featured on Good Morning America alongside his doctor Dr. Merit Cudkowicz in June, and Eric explained he wanted to work with the medic because she made him feel more optimistic than other medical professionals had.
He said: “That’s what I got from Merit when I met her, was that there was a sense of hope.
“I didn’t get that from other doctors that I met with. I’m very hopeful. I don’t think this is the end of my story. I’m pretty resilient. I just don’t feel like in my heart that this is the end of me.”
Eric also admitted to host Diane Sawyer he is “angry” about his condition because he doesn’t want to be “taken” from his and wife Rebecca Gayheart’s daughters Billie, 15, and 13-year-old Georgia while they are still young.
He said: “I’m angry because, you know, my father was taken from me when I was young and now there’s a very good chance I’m going to be taken from my girls while they’re very young.
“At the end of the day, all I want to do is spend time with my family and work a little bit if I can. … They’re loved. They know it.”
Eric Dane launches campaign for ALS funding
