Eric Dane, the 52-year-old former star of “Grey’s Anatomy,” is raising awareness about his recent diagnosis. As you may have heard, he’s been recently diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. In April, he courageously went public with his diagnosis of a degenerative neurological disorder. This diagnosis left him paralyzed and has greatly limited his ability to move, talk, swallow, or even breathe.
Since announcing his diagnosis, Dane has faced overwhelming challenges. Just two months later, his life was turned upside down again as he lost the functionality of his dominant right arm. Even in the face of these challenges, he refuses to give up on combatting the effects of ALS. Dane is enrolled in an experimental study of a very promising drug that will delay the progression of his disease. He’s willing to do whatever it takes to find a treatment for his disease.
“I’ll fly to Germany and eat the head off a rattlesnake if that’s what the doctors say is going to help,” Dane announced. He underscored his commitment to leaving no stone unturned in terms of discovering new possible treatments.
Dane’s experience is emblematic of the national trend in ALS diagnoses. As alarmingly, the prognosis for those diagnosed with this degenerative disease is poor. Each year, an estimated 5,000 Americans learn they have the illness. By 2040, projections indicate that the global number of people living with ALS may increase by 70%. This dramatic increase in diagnoses leads to some difficult questions about whether environmental factors, genetic predisposition, or both are contributing to the disease.
That’s why Dr. Merit Cudkowicz — a leading ALS researcher — says there are many different risk factors to the disease. We care about head trauma, because we do observe ALS occurring more frequently in individuals in high contact sports such as football or soccer. We worry about pesticides as well. Serving in the military is a risk factor,” she said.
Like many others I have met Dane now finds hope in his prognosis and treatment options. “I’m very hopeful … I don’t think this is the end of my story,” he remarked. Research that has emerged in recent years has deepened this optimism. Now, a string of breakthroughs has opened a path to slow or possibly stop ALS from progressing in some patients.
“That’s what I got from Merit when I met her … there was a sense of hope I didn’t get from other doctors that I met with,” Dane reflected on his interactions with Dr. Cudkowicz.
The viral “ice bucket challenge” of 2014 significantly raised awareness about ALS and infused $200 million into U.S. research funding for the disease. These efforts have resulted in exciting scientific breakthroughs that could ultimately benefit patients of tomorrow.
Dr. Cudkowicz highlighted the exciting advancements in ALS research, stating, “There’s people all over the world working on this.” She mentioned emerging technologies: “Between artificial intelligence and other imaging technology, that’s what gets me excited, and that’s all coming in the next, I think, you know, one to two years, if not, you know, faster.”
Dane continues to make a courageous battle against ALS. Simultaneously, he tries to be an engaged parent to his two daughters, ages 13 and 15. Whether in his personal life or battles with his health, he stresses the importance of resilience.
