Eric Dane Cancels ALS Gala Appearance Hours Before Event, Citing Physical Impact of the Disease
Eric Dane was forced to withdraw from a major ALS awareness event just hours before it began, with organizers citing the physical toll of the disease as the reason for his absence.
The 53-year-old actor was scheduled to attend the ALS Network’s Champions for Cures and Care Gala on Saturday, January 24, where he was set to be honored as Advocate of the Year. However, Dane ultimately had to cancel his appearance at the last minute after determining he was not physically able to attend.
According to a statement from the ALS Network, the decision was made “due to the physical realities of ALS,” adding that Dane was “not well enough to attend” the event in person.
ALS Network Honors Dane Despite Absence
Despite his absence, the organization emphasized its continued admiration and support for Dane’s advocacy.
“We remain deeply grateful for his courage, advocacy, and continued commitment to the ALS community,” the ALS Network said in a statement shared with PEOPLE. “We honor him fully this evening with our profound respect and support.”
Actor Aaron Lazar, who is also living with ALS, accepted the Advocate of the Year award on Dane’s behalf during the ceremony.
Representatives for Dane and the ALS Network did not immediately respond to requests for comment following the event.
Dane’s ALS Diagnosis and Public Advocacy
Dane publicly revealed his amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) diagnosis in April through an exclusive statement to PEOPLE. At the time, he asked for privacy for himself and his family as they navigated the diagnosis.
In a later interview with Diane Sawyer on Good Morning America in June, Dane offered a candid reflection on living with ALS.
“I wake up every day, and I’m immediately reminded that this is happening,” he said. “It’s not a dream.”
Since going public with his diagnosis, Dane has partnered with ALS advocacy organizations, including I AM ALS, and has become an increasingly visible voice for awareness and research.
Family Support During His Health Battle
Dane shares two daughters — Billie, 15, and Georgia, 14 — with actress Rebecca Gayheart. The couple married in 2004, filed for divorce in 2018, and later reconciled, calling off the split seven years later.
In September, Gayheart told PEOPLE that their family is taking the situation “day by day.”
“We have some professional therapists who are helping us,” she said. “We’re just trying to have some hope and do it with dignity, grace, and love.”
A Message of Strength and Determination
Although he could not attend the gala in person, Dane appeared during the event via a pre-recorded video message to accept his honor.
“This award is not just for me,” Dane said. “It’s for my beautiful family and loved ones who are fighting, and it’s for every person who has faced ALS with courage, for every caregiver who gives their heart day after day, and for every advocate who is a voice for progress.”
He also praised the ALS Network for its work supporting patients and advancing research.
“The ALS Network makes a powerful impact by uniting care and research to improve and extend the lives of people living with ALS,” he said.
Dane closed his message with a defiant note of resolve: “Thank you from the bottom of my heart for this. With help from the ALS Network, we will finally kick the s— out of ALS.”
The tribute concluded with a video montage highlighting Dane’s career, featuring clips from his most iconic roles and messages from former and current costars, including Grey’s Anatomy’s Ellen Pompeo and Euphoria star Jacob Elordi.