One year after announcing his diagnosis of ALS, actor Eric Dane passed away. Dane, most commonly recognized from his roles as Mark Sloan in Grey’s Anatomy and Cal Jacobs in Euphoria, passed away this past weekend from ALS. Less than a year earlier, Dane announced his diagnosis in an interview with People Magazine.
ALS, or Motor Neuron Disease, is a rare and fatal disease that attacks nerves in the brain and the spinal cord (Mayo Clinic, 2024). It affects around 1 in 400 people which is about 0.33% of the population (Target ALS, 2013). ALS slowly attacks the nerves, first affecting the ability to walk and talk, and eventually affecting the ability to breathe (The ALS Association).
While much research has been helpful in learning about ALS, there is still a long way to go. Scientists have connected the development of ALS to factors such as genetics and environment. Still in most cases, the cause is unknown.
As of now, scientists have figured out about 10% of cases are inherited. This means for 90% of patients, the cause is completely unknown. The average age of ALS diagnoses is from 55-75 years old, and it can take up to a year to reach a final diagnosis.
ALS victims not only have to live with an incurable disease, but also have to pay around $250,000 a year in out of pocket costs (The ALS Association). The cost to create a drug to slow the process would cost about $2 billion.
Thankfully, there are ways to help donate so the patient can afford the treatment they deserve.
Right here in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Active Against ALS is a nonprofit organization working towards raising money for ALS research, with the ultimate goal of finding a cure.
According to the foundation, Active Against ALS has donated over $900,000 to research since 2008 when it was founded. They focus on the enthusiastic and hopeful side of helping people, organizing fundraisers targeted towards fun and excitement.
While ALS may be a fatal disease as of now, donations help move research forward every day. Active Against ALS has a donation page on the front of their website, activeagainstals.org.
While Eric Dane died a victim of ALS, not everyone has to. You can donate to Active Against ALS in memory of Eric Dane or any loved one.
