Eric Dane was forced to miss an event this weekend amid his battle with ALS.
The "Grey's Anatomy" actor, 53, was honored with the Dean and Kathleen Rasmussen Advocate of the Year Award at the ALS Network's Champions for Cures and Care Gala on Saturday, Jan. 24, in California.
Dane was expected to attend the gala but had to drop out "due to the physical realities of living with ALS," the ALS Network said, while noting his "presence was deeply felt throughout the evening." Aaron Lazar, an actor and singer who has also been diagnosed with ALS, accepted the award on Dane's behalf, and Dane spoke in a prerecorded message.
"This award is not just for me, it's for my beautiful loved ones who are fighting with me, and it's for every person who has faced ALS with courage," Dane said, according to Entertainment Weekly.
Dane, best known for his role as Dr. Mark Sloan on "Grey's Anatomy," first revealed that he had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in April. "I am grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter," he told People magazine.
