Eric Dane Says He Will ‘Fight to the Last Breath’ While Urging Lawmakers to Fund ALS Research

Actor Eric Dane is urging lawmakers to support federal funding for neurodegenerative disease research after announcing his battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) earlier this year.

The “Grey’s Anatomy” star joined members of the nonprofit I AM ALS in Washington this week to advocate for others who are battling the incurable condition.

“We’re back on Capitol Hill with Eric Dane today, advocating for the critical reauthorization of ACT for ALS!” the organization said in a Facebook post on Tuesday.

“You can advocate alongside Eric by asking your elected officials to support ACT for ALS.”

According to the nonprofit’s website, the Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS Act, or ACT for ALS, was passed in 2021 to advance research and treatments for ALS and other rare neurodegenerative diseases.

The bipartisan law was authorized for five years of funding and is set to expire in 2026.

ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, progressively affects the body by attacking nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, the Mayo Clinic reports. This can cause a host of symptoms, including trouble walking, slurred speech, and muscle twitching, eventually resulting in paralysis during the later stages of the disease.

There is currently no known cure for the disease, which is more prevalent in men than women, the ALS Association notes. The average life expectancy after diagnosis is around two to five years.

“ALS is the last thing you want to diagnose anybody with,” Dane, 52, told congressmen during his visit.

“It takes all this time for these people to be diagnosed, well then it precludes them from being a part of these clinical trials. That’s why Act for ALS is so great is because it broadens the access for everybody.”

The “Euphoria” star, who revealed his diagnosis in April, also spoke of his hopes for the future, noting that he still plans to “ring every bell.”

“I have two daughters at home. I want to see them, you know, graduate college, get married, maybe have grandkids. I want to be there for all that,” the actor said. “So, I’m going to fight to the last breath on this one.”

Dane also met with U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley (D-Ill.) last month to discuss the reauthorization of ACT for ALS.

“It’s because of the ALS community and incredible advocates like Eric Dane that we have such incredible support and were able to make big strides in ALS research and health care access,” the congressman wrote in a Sept. 19 Instagram post.

“I look forward to working with my colleagues to reauthorize this vital funding.”