Eric Dane announced a new initiative to accelerate research and expand access to treatments for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis on Tuesday, appearing in an emotional Instagram video to unveil a campaign that aims to secure $1 billion in federal funding over three years.
"I'm Eric. An actor, a father, and now a person living with ALS," Dane said through strained speech at the start of the video posted in collaboration with I AM ALS, the advocacy group founded by Brian Wallach in 2019. He said the effort, called Push for Progress, is intended to speed a path to effective therapies and to renew a landmark federal act for ALS.
In the video, Dane said "For over a century, ALS has been incurable, and we're done accepting the status quo. We need the fastest path to a cure." He added that the campaign's goal is to get promising treatments to thousands of patients and to "finally, finally push towards ending this disease." Dane wore a shirt bearing the I AM ALS logo and appeared to show signs of the disease's progression.
Dane disclosed his ALS diagnosis in April. Five months later he drew attention by missing the 2025 Emmy Awards, where he was scheduled to reunite with former Grey's Anatomy co-star Jesse Williams to present the award for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series; Williams presented alone. A source told Deadline that Dane pulled out at the last minute from what would have been his first major awards appearance since announcing the diagnosis.
Dane framed the campaign as a call for public engagement and federal action. The Push for Progress announcement said it would "accelerate ALS research, expand access to treatments, and secure $1 billion in federal funding for ALS over the next three years," language echoed in the Instagram caption accompanying the video.
ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative condition that weakens muscles and affects physical function. I AM ALS, which Dane partnered with for the announcement, was founded in 2019 and has advocated for increased research funding and patient access to treatments.
Dane, 52, has spoken publicly about his family since revealing his diagnosis. In April he said he was "grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter." He and his wife, actress Rebecca Gayheart, share daughters Billie, 15, and Georgia, 13. Gayheart filed for divorce in February 2018 but dismissed the petition in March 2025. Dane told Good Morning America in June that he and Gayheart speak daily and that she is his "biggest champion. My most stalwart supporter, and I lean on her."
The announcement places Dane among a growing number of public figures who have used their platforms to highlight ALS, its impact and the need for accelerated research and funding. The Push for Progress initiative outlines a federal funding target and advocacy goals but does not yet specify legislative steps or an implementation timeline beyond the three-year funding goal described in the campaign materials.
Representatives for Dane and I AM ALS did not immediately provide additional details beyond the social media post. News outlets have reported on his absence from the Emmys and his April diagnosis.
Public response to the video and campaign was visible in social media comments and shares following the post. The campaign encourages supporters to engage with advocacy efforts to help achieve the funding and treatment-access objectives it announced.