Eric Dane Discusses ALS Diagnosis and Hope for the Future

Eric Dane, known for his role in “Grey’s Anatomy,” recently shared his journey with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in an interview with Diane Sawyer. He revealed that he has resorted to extreme measures to combat his illness, even traveling to Germany for treatment. “I assume risk,” the 52-year-old actor admitted.

During the interview, which aired Tuesday, Dane opened up about the challenges of living with ALS, expressing how he found hope amid the struggles. He mentioned that he currently has one functioning arm, which is a result of the disease’s progression.

“I’m very hopeful… I don’t think this is the end of my story,” he stated. Dane emphasized how meeting Dr. Merit Cudkowicz, a leading ALS researcher, provided him with a sense of hope that wasn’t present during earlier consultations with other doctors.

He critiqued some medical approaches he encountered, saying, “We spoke with an organization that said they were there to monitor my decline. That’s not much help.”

Dr. Cudkowicz explained that the factors contributing to ALS are still being studied. From environmental causes to head injuries in certain sports, the research is ongoing. “These are things we know, but there is much more that we don’t know,” she said.

Dane revealed that he first disclosed his diagnosis in April, and this interview marked another step in sharing his experience. He casually mentioned that he hadn’t considered the implications of his ailment at first, attributing his symptoms to possible fatigue. “At the time I was not thinking about it,” he reflected. Eventually, he sought medical opinions after noticing a decline.

He noted, “Right now I have one functional arm,” and expressed concerns about losing use of his left side soon. Although he can walk for now, he’s apprehensive about his mobility in the future.

Remembering his diagnosis, he stated, “I will never forget these three letters, [ALS]. It’s the second time I’ve woken up.” His realization of the condition’s severity hit him during a boat trip with his daughter, Georgia, when he found himself unable to swim.

Dane expressed a mix of anger and determination regarding his situation, saying he wishes to spend precious time with his family and to work when possible. “At the end of the day, all I want to do is spend time with my family,” he concluded.