“Gray’s Anatomy” star Eric Dane has released a video on social media Monday to raise awareness about amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a disease he was diagnosed wiht several months ago.
dane, 52, shared the video on Instagram, identifying himself as “an actor, a father, and now a person who lives with ALS.” The actor’s public disclosure and advocacy come as the disease-which causes progressive muscle paralysis-remains incurable, and as he experiences its effects firsthand.His aim is to galvanize support for finding a remedy, stating, “We can no longer accept the status quo.”
The actor first revealed his diagnosis last April. Subscribers had noted a slowing of his speech, a recognized symptom of ALS. The disease progressively weakens muscles, ultimately impacting the ability to move, speak, and breathe. According to the National Institutes of Health, most people with ALS live two to five years after diagnosis. Dane disclosed in June, during an appearance on good Morning America, that he has already lost function in his right arm.
Dane’s announcement follows a series of public statements about his battle with the disease, including a recent message expressing his determination that “I don’t think it’s the end of my story.” Further information about ALS can be found through the National Institutes of Health (https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/amyotrophic-lateral-sclerosis-als) and the Quebec ALS Society (https://sla-quebec.ca/a-propos-de-la-sla/quest-ce-que-la-sla/).
