Eric Dane dropped out of a Saturday awards ceremony hours earlier than he was set to be honored amid his battle with ALS.

The Gray's Anatomy and Euphoria actor was supposed to seem in individual on the ALS Community's Champions for Cures and Care gala in Pasadena on Jan. 24, the place he was receiving the Advocate of the 12 months Award. Nevertheless, organizers introduced the night of the occasion that "because of the bodily realities of ALS," Dane was not properly sufficient to attend.

"We stay deeply grateful for his braveness, advocacy, and continued dedication to the ALS neighborhood," an ALSN consultant stated in a press release to Leisure Weekly, "and we honor him absolutely this night with our profound respect and help."

Broadway star and Grammy nominee Aaron Lazar, who was identified with ALS in 2022, accepted the award on Dane's behalf.

Dane was additionally honored with a video montage that performed through the ceremony and featured a number of of the actor's buddies and former costars sharing type phrases about his profession and advocacy. Gala attendees included Dane's former Grey's Anatomy costars James Pickens Jr. and Chandra Wilson.

Dane himself despatched a pre-recorded video message for the ceremony, thanking the group for bestowing the Advocate of the 12 months Award upon him.

"This award is not only for me, it's for my stunning family members who’re combating with me, and it's for each one that has confronted ALS with braveness," the Countdown star stated. "For each caregiver who offers their coronary heart and power day after day and for each advocate who raises their voice to push for progress."

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Dane then celebrated the ALS Community’s tireless work, which incorporates "uniting care, analysis, and advocacy to enhance and lengthen the lives of individuals with ALS."

After thanking the group yet one more time, Dane stated, "With the assistance of the ALS Community we are going to lastly be capable to kick the s— out of ALS collectively."

In a press release to EW, the president and CEO of the ALS Community, Sheri Strahl, stated, "Eric has reworked private challenges into highly effective advocacy. He has turned his ALS journey right into a catalyst for progress, uniting individuals along with his voice, his coronary heart, and his dedication. The ALS neighborhood is stronger, extra seen, and extra hopeful due to him."

Also referred to as Lou Gehrig's illness, ALS is a neurological dysfunction that impacts motor neurons, inflicting degeneration of nerve cells within the spinal wire and mind and lack of muscle management over time. Whereas ALS has no remedy, therapies exist that assist sluggish its development and enhance high quality of life.

The Gray’s Anatomy alum first introduced his ALS prognosis in April of final yr, after 9 months of testing. In June, Dane revealed that he had misplaced operate in his proper arm, and his spouse, Rebecca Gayheart (the couple are legally married however separated in 2017), lately stated he has "24/7 nurses" taking good care of him.

Dane has nonetheless made an effort to proceed working. Along with filming the third season of Euphoria and starring within the Prime Video collection Countdown, he guest-starred on an episode of Brilliant Minds in November, enjoying a firefighter who struggles to inform his household about his ALS prognosis.

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Dane, who’s the ambassador for the nonprofit group I AM ALS, has additionally thrown himself into advocacy, shining a highlight on each these identified with ALS and people who step in as caretakers.

"I feel it's crucial that I share my journey with as many individuals as I can as a result of I don't really feel like my life is about me anymore," Dane stated in a digital dialog in December. "It's one thing I've needed to wrestle with as a result of I'm a reasonably egocentric individual, and I'd love for my life to be all about me, however I simply can't — I don't suppose I'd be capable to transfer ahead if that have been the case."

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