Eric Dane had to drop out of an appearance at an event supporting ALS research Saturday.

Eric Dane at the premiere of "Bad Boys: Ride or Die" at the TCL Chinese Theater on May 30, 2024 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images)

The “Grey’s Anatomy” star was scheduled to attend the ALS Network’s Champions for Cures and Cara Gala where he was set to be recognized as Advocate of the Year.

However, the ALS network confirmed that Dane had to cancel just a few hours beforehand "due to the physical realities of ALS."

“We remain deeply grateful for his courage, advocacy, and continued commitment to the ALS community, and we honor him fully this evening with our profound respect and support," the organization said in a statement to People.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 18: Eric Dane attends the "Countdown" Premiere and After-Party on June 18, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Prime Video)

They added that actor and fellow ALS patient Aaron Lazar would "accept the award on [Dane's] behalf.”

Dane was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, better known as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease, in April of this year. While there are treatments for ALS to slow its progression, there is no known cure, and patients gradually lose their ability to move, speak, and breathe independently.

The 53-year-old has become an advocate for ALS patients. In October, he visited Washington, D.C., with U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) as part of his work with the I AM ALS non-profit to push for the reauthorization of the ACT For ALS law that expands access to treatments and works to support the development of new therapies for ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases.

DENVER, COLORADO - NOVEMBER 12: Eric Dane attends the Global Down Syndrome Foundation’s 14th Annual Be Beautiful Be Yourself Fashion Show at the Sheraton Downtown Denver Hotel on November 12, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Thomas Cooper/Getty Images for Global Down Syndrome Foundation)

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

Dane shares Billie, 15, and Georgia, 13, with ex-wife Rebecca Gayheart. She filed for divorce from Dane in 2018 but later withdrew the petition in March 2025.

Georgia Dane, Eric Dane and Billie Dane at the premiere of "Bad Boys: Ride or Die" at the TCL Chinese Theater on May 30, 2024 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images)

Gayheart has also become an advocate for ALS, recently opening up in an essay for The Cut about the realities of being a caregiver.

Dane has round-the-clock care split across 21 shifts, but Gayheart still steps in where needed.

HOLLYWOOD, CA - JUNE 04: Actors Rebecca Gayheart (L) and Eric Dane attend the 43rd AFI Life Achievement Award Gala honoring Steve Martin at Dolby Theatre on June 4, 2015 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for AFI)

“There are times that shifts aren’t covered, so I cover them,” she wrote. “There was a 12-hour shift recently that I could not cover. I could only do four hours because of all the stuff that the kids are doing.”

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