Eric Dane, who is known for his iconic roles as Dr. Mark Sloan in Grey’s Anatomy and Cal Jacobs in HBO’s hit drama Euphoria, has been a familiar face in Hollywood for over two decades. Known for his charisma on screen and commanding performances, the 52-year-old actor recently made headlines not for a new project, but for a deeply personal health revelation.

Dane, in an interview with People magazine exclusively, had said that he had been diagnosed with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), a progressively developing and presently incurable neurodegenerative illness. But even amidst the diagnosis, he is cheerful, continuing to work and counting on the assistance of his family for this new chapter in life.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, better known as ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease, is a rare but tragic neurological disorder that slowly takes away people's motor skills, speech, swallowing, and finally, breathing. Although the name sounds technical-sounding, it tells what the disease does—no muscle nourishment and muscle weakness and paralysis. The term also addresses the spine, in which nerve injury begins, and the scarring that develops over a period of time. As more individuals become informed, especially following publicized diagnoses like that of actor Eric Dane, discovering the etiology and facts about ALS becomes more valuable.

During an interview with a leading media outlet, the 52-year-old actor disclosed, "I feel so lucky that I'm still employed and can't wait to be returning to the Euphoria set next week." The actor was appreciative of the love and support of his family members, requesting that they be given some privacy while they "move forward in this next chapter."

As shocking as this announcement will be to followers everywhere, it's also a wake-up call for awareness: what is ALS, what are the symptoms in its onset, who is at risk, and what are the hurdles ahead for those afflicted? Eric Dane's public revelation places ALS in the global spotlight, evoking not just sympathy, but education and activism. His own experience will undoubtedly increase awareness and advocacy for a disease all too often endured in silence.

What is ALS?

ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is the most common form of motor neuron disease (MND). The illness causes the progressive breakdown and death of motor neurons—nerve cells that manage voluntary muscle movement, including walking, talking, swallowing, and breathing.

The title "amyotrophic lateral sclerosis" comes from Greek, each word describing the nature of the disease. "A" means "no," "myo" means "muscle," and "trophic" connotes "nourishment," all of which combined mean "no muscle nourishment"—a name that succinctly describes the muscle wasting, or atrophy, of the disease. "Lateral" indicates the specific regions of the spinal cord that are affected, and "sclerosis" denotes the scarring or hardening that takes place in these regions as the disease progresses.

Symptoms of ALS

Symptoms of ALS can start subtly but rapidly progress, so early detection is important. The disease tends to begin with localized weakness or muscle twitching, typically in the hands, legs, or speech muscles.

Early symptoms, according to the Mayo Clinic, are:

• Limbs weakness
• Slow or slurred speech
• Difficulty with fine motor skills
• Muscle cramping or twitching, often in the arms or tongue
• Difficulty swallowing or breathing
• Clumsiness or frequent falls
• Involuntary laughing or crying (pseudobulbar affect)

These symptoms become more severe over time and spread to other areas of the body. Ultimately, people lose the capacity to move, talk, eat, and breathe on their own.

How ALS Develops and Impacts the Body?

ALS progresses in an relentless degenerative way. When motor neurons die, they weaken and shrink the muscles that they serve. Initially, a person may experience everyday tasks as a hassle, but eventually, in months or years, these issues may progress to full paralysis.

Despite the preservation of a normal mentality, certain people do experience cognitive or behavioral changes, and some proportion may have frontotemporal dementia.

The life expectancy is three to five years after the diagnosis, yet some patients are able to survive a decade or more with it.

What Are the Risk Factors for ALS?

Although there is much left to be discovered about ALS, there are numerous factors that predispose individuals toward developing the disorder:

Genetics

Around 10% of all ALS diagnoses are inherited. Individuals with a family history of ALS have significantly higher risk, and their children have a 50% chance of inheriting the gene mutation.

Age and Gender

ALS typically strikes those between the ages of 60 and 75. Men are slightly more likely to develop the disease than women before age 65, but this gender disparity evened out with advancing age.

Environmental Factors

Studies have linked some exposures to increased ALS risk:

Smoking: Particularly in women after menopause.

Toxic exposures: e.g., lead or industrial toxins.

Military service: Statistically, veterans are more likely to develop ALS, perhaps due to severe physical stress, toxin exposure, or infections.

Complications Related to ALS

As ALS advances, it doesn't just affect movement—it affects nearly every function that depends on muscle control. Some serious complications include:

Respiratory Failure: Weakening of the diaphragm and chest muscles creates breathlessness. Most patients require ventilatory support, and respiratory failure is the main cause of death in ALS.

Speech and Communication Deficit: The disease will lead to slurred speech or mumbling so that there is dependence on aids to communication.

Difficulty Swallowing and Feeding: Weakening of the muscles disrupts chewing and swallowing capacity so that patients become vulnerable to aspiration pneumonia or choking. Feeding tubes are most often required.

Dementia and Cognitive Impairment: A small percentage of ALS patients develop frontotemporal dementia, which is marked by changes in behavior and decision-making.

In spite of the gravity of the diagnosis, Eric Dane has been said to have been upbeat and to have promised to keep working. This is typical of the resilience that many with ALS exhibit. With supportive care, assistive technology, and improvement in symptomatic treatment, individuals can maintain quality of life for as long a time as possible.

However, the fact that there is no cure also highlights the utter need for more research, funding, and activism. Organizations like the ALS Association and the Muscular Dystrophy Association are strongly advocating improved treatments as well as maybe even breakthroughs.

A fresh assessment of Quebec’s hospital network paints a troubling picture. The number of medical buildings considered to be in poor condition has more than doubled in just one year, revealing infrastructure problems far deeper than previously understood.

Data updated by Santé Québec and compiled by Radio Canada shows that 38 per cent of the province’s 594 hospital buildings were rated either poor or very poor by early 2026.

In early 2025, about 100 buildings fell into those categories. A year later, that number rose sharply to 227.

Repair Costs Surge Past $2 Billion

The deteriorating conditions have dramatically increased repair costs. The hospital maintenance backlog, once estimated at about 900 million dollars last year, has now crossed 2 billion dollars.

Officials say the numbers reflect years of aging infrastructure and delayed evaluations rather than a sudden collapse in a single year.

Montreal Hospitals Among The Worst Affected

Nearly half of the most deteriorated hospitals are located in Montreal.

The Montreal General Hospital now ranks as the worst facility in the province. Last year it held a B rating, meaning good condition. This year it fell to E, the lowest possible grade, indicating very bad condition.

Colleen Timm, executive director of the McGill University Health Centre, described the situation as critical. She said the hospital has recorded 260 water leaks since early 2024, some affecting patient care directly.

According to Timm, the building’s plumbing and electrical systems must be completely replaced. The estimated maintenance deficit for that hospital alone is about 249 million dollars.

The Douglas Mental Health University Institute, which recently experienced burst water pipes, is also among the most deteriorated sites.

Problems Seen Across The Province

The issue extends beyond Montreal. Santé Québec figures show several other facilities also need major repairs.

The Douglas Mental Health Institute in Montreal, the Hôtel Dieu de Québec in Quebec City and the Saint Jérôme regional hospital each require roughly 100 million dollars in work.

Sonia Dugas, vice president of finance at Santé Québec, called the rapid rise in poor ratings worrying. She explained the increase is partly due to a long overdue update of infrastructure data that had not been properly evaluated for years.

The goal, she said, is to get an accurate picture so budgets can be prioritized correctly.

Aging Buildings Before New Ones

Officials now say the province must focus on maintaining older facilities before expanding the network.

Santé Québec currently has about 1 billion dollars available for maintenance, but Dugas acknowledged the real repair costs will likely be at least double that amount.

The findings suggest Quebec faces a long and expensive effort to modernize hospitals that millions rely on for care.

Grey's Anatomy star Eric Dane has died at the age of 53, 10 months after revealing he was suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Dane, who is also known for his role as Nate Jacob's father in HBO's Euphoria, has spent his last few months raising awareness for the most common form of motor neurone disease (MND).

Popularly known as 'McSteamy', Dane is survived by his wife, fellow actress and model Rebecca Gayheart and his two daughters, Billie and Georgia.

"With heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS," reads a statement from the grieving family. "He spent his final days surrounded by dear friends, his devoted wife, and his two beautiful daughters, Billie and Georgia, who were the center of his world."

"Throughout his journey with ALS, Eric became a passionate advocate for awareness and research, determined to make a difference for others facing the same fight. He will be deeply missed, and lovingly remembered always. Eric adored his fans and is forever grateful for the outpouring of love and support he’s received. The family has asked for privacy as they navigate this impossible time.”

What Is ALS?

Most individuals with ALS retain their cognitive function, but lose the ability to walk, speak, eat, and breathe without assistance. The disease progresses over time, with most patients surviving between two to five years following diagnosis.

ALS presents in unique ways from person to person. It can begin in the limbs (limb-onset) or in muscles related to speaking and swallowing (bulbar-onset). While no cure currently exists, treatment advancements have offered hope for improved quality of life and extended survival.

Who is Affected by ALS?

There are two major types of ALS:

Sporadic ALS: This is the most common form, accounting for 90% of cases. Though it appears without family history, a portion of cases may involve genetic mutations.

Familial ALS: Representing about 10 percent of cases, this inherited form results from specific genetic changes.

Certain groups are at higher risk. Military veterans and firefighters are nearly twice as likely to be diagnosed with ALS—potentially due to environmental exposures, physical trauma, or toxins encountered during service. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs recognizes ALS as a service-connected condition, entitling veterans to specialized care and benefits.

READ MORE: Grey’s Anatomy’ Star Eric Dane Reveals He Has ALS- What Are The Early Signs And Risks?

What Symptoms Should Look Out For?

• Spasticity and exaggerated reflexes
• Muscle atrophy, particularly in the hands and legs
• Bulbar symptoms like difficulty speaking (dysarthria) or swallowing (dysphagia)
• Emotional lability (pseudobulbar affect)
• Breathing difficulties

What Leads To ALS?

ALS is diagnosed by ruling out other conditions through clinical evaluation, EMG tests, genetic screening, and imaging such as MRI. Early diagnosis is essential to access therapies and plan care.

There is no cure for ALS yet, but treatments like riluzole, edaravone, and tofersen (for those with SOD1 mutations) can slow progression. Promising research areas include gene therapy, RNA-targeted treatments, biomarkers like Neurofilament Light Chain, and artificial intelligence for diagnosis and personalized care.

Western Australia (WA) Government's announcement of older Western Australians living in residential aged care to receive free RSV immunization through a new $2.6 million state-funded program has been welcomed by the Royal Australian College of GPs or the RACGP.

This is a first initiative where the Arexvy RSV vaccine that usually costs around $300 at private hospitals will be made available at no cost to Western Australians aged 65 and over residing in aged care facilities. As per the Depart of Health, there are about 15,000 aged care residents who will benefit by the vaccine this year.

Western Australia Seniors To Get Free RSV Immunization: What Is RSV?

Respiratory Syncytial Virus or RSV is a common, contagious virus that usually causes mild symptoms. In older adults, including those with certain underlying conditions, RSV could cause severe infection. RSV is not a new virus and could be a bigger health concern than many think due to it being highly contagious.

It is a type of respiratory virus that could cause infections of the lungs and the respiratory tracts, It is similar to other respiratory infections when it comes to spreading.

How Does RSV Spread?

It could spread through a cough, sneeze, or by exchange of saliva or using hand to cover a sneeze and not washing it. A person with RSV is typically contagious for three to eight days, for some people with weakened immune system, they could be contagious for four weeks even after they stop showing symptoms.

Western Australia Seniors To Get Free RSV Immunization: What Are The Symptoms?

Symptoms of RSV could appear in three to four days and last up to two weeks. It could range from mild to severe symptoms in older adults. The common symptoms include:

• Fever
• Cough
• Sore Throat
• Runny Nose
• Congestion
• Headache
• Tiredness

Western Australia Seniors To Get Free RSV Immunization: What Is The RSV Season?

The seasonality could vary based on geographic location, population density and even climate activity. However, majority of RSV cases follow the patter:

• Rise from mid September to mid November
• Peak from late December to mid February
• Decline from mid April to mid May

Western Australia Seniors To Get Free RSV Immunization: What Does The Data Say?

RSV is a major winter respiratory illness in Australia that results over 115,000 hospitalizations (2016 to 2019) as per the data presented by the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCRIS), which is Australia's leading immunization organization. Its data notes that RSV is the leading cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in infants, with high rates in those under six months.

As per the official website of Government of Western Australia, in 2025, Western Australia reported 12,804 RSV cases and around a third were in people over 65 who became "very unwell" and required hospital admission. This year's initiative thus aims to lower this number and to protect the seniors form this contagious disease. The Premier of Western Australia Roger Cook said, "Our health system is seeing more patients who are older, sicker and have complex heath needs, reflecting the impact of an ageing population. The RSV immunization program will keep more Western Australians well over the winter months and ease the pressure on our emergency departments."