Eric Dane, the former star of “Grey’s Anatomy,” has courageously shared his fight with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). This one, a progressive neurological disorder, has been a huge struggle for him in many ways. Known for his role as Dr. Mark Sloan, affectionately nicknamed “McSteamy,” Dane revealed his diagnosis in April, igniting conversations about the disease and its impact on patients and their families.
Now at 52 years old, Dane is taking ALS on directly. Through all of this, he has been a deeply committed father to his two daughters—now 13 and 15. The diagnosis took a huge financial toll on him. He has had to give up the use of his right arm and now must live with the constant threat of permanent paralysis. ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, known for years as Lou Gehrig’s disease, takes away a person’s ability to walk, talk, eat and then ultimately breathe.
Even in the face of these challenges, Dane is optimistic and dedicated to continuing to battle the debilitating disease. Now he’s living in a research study, taking a drug designed to delay the progression of ALS. “I’m very hopeful … I don’t think this is the end of my story,” he stated. This decision is a testament to his fighting spirit as he looks for ways to fight the paralyzing impact of the disease.
Dane’s openness to try novel treatments shows us just how urgently he needs to tackle this transformative diagnosis. I am going to fly over to Germany, and bite the head off a rattlesnake,” he shouted. He’s ready to do anything and everything to be able to prevent paralysis related to ALS.
These past years have marked unbelievable progress in the science of ALS. The new viral “ice bucket challenge” exploded last summer and raised an astounding $200 million for ALS research in the US. This critical investment fueled efforts aimed at understanding and fighting the disease from all angles. We’ve seen tremendous breakthroughs in drug development! Thanks to new medications now available, some patients with ALS can slow or stop the progression of their disease.
Dane’s participation in clinical research studies highlights the individual, local, national, and global movement to end ALS. He continues to look for non-invasive treatments. Inspiring him are medical professionals committed to increasing understanding of the pervasive disorder. To solve these challenges, Johnson said there are people all over the world working on this, highlighting the international investment in transportation solutions.
Dr. Cudkowicz is a world-renowned resource in the search for ALS cures. Through their friendship, she has provided Dane with the hope he hasn’t been able to find anywhere else. When I met Merit, I just knew it was something different. She left me feeling like I had real hope for the first time with doctors. The partnership between patients and researchers is key to accelerating progress in the fight against ALS.
Now, the medical community is investigating many other factors that could be leading causes to develop ALS. In recent years, alarm has been raised over head trauma associated with contact sports such as football and soccer. On top of that, environmental issues, including pesticide exposures, are the new focus. Additionally, as Dr. Cudkowicz recently highlighted, people with military backgrounds can be at heightened risks as well.
Society today is still coming to terms with ALS and its societal effects. Stories such as Eric Dane’s bring us back to the real and present battle against this heartbreaking disease. Kirk’s openness about his condition doesn’t just heighten awareness, it inspires hope for others who are fighting similar wars.
