Grey’s Anatomy star Eric Dane makes inspiring move just four days after revealing ALS diagnosis

Just yesterday (10 April), it was announced that Grey’s Anatomy star Eric Dane has been diagnosed with a rare degenerative disease, ALS.

Speaking exclusively to PEOPLE in an article published Thursday, Dane - who starred on the hit ABC medical drama as Dr Mark Sloan - shared: "I have been diagnosed with ALS."

The 52-year-old actor, who shares two children, Billie Beatrice, 15, and Georgia Geraldine, 13, with his wife Rebecca Gayheart, continued: "I am grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter."

Impressively, Dane has already shared some pretty big plans set to take place just four days after revealing his diagnosis.

Grey's Anatomy star, Eric Dane, has opened up about his ALS diagnosis (Gilbert Flores / Contributor / Getty Images)

While he may be best-known as 'McSteamy' on Grey's Anatomy, Dane also stars as the Jacobs family patriarch in the popular teen drama series, Euphoria.

The Sam Levinson-created TV show, which also stars the likes of Zendaya, Alexa Demie, Sydney Sweeney, Barbie Ferreira, Hunter Schafer, Maude Apatow and Jacob Elordi, is set to begin production of the third season in a few days' time (14 April).

In his interview to PEOPLE, Dane added: "I feel fortunate that I am able to continue working and am looking forward to returning to set of Euphoria next week.

"I kindly ask that you give my family and I privacy during this time."

Dane stars as Cal Jacobs, father of Jacob Elordi’s Nate Jacobs, in Euphoria (HBO)

ALS - or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis - is a type of motor neurone disease which sees muscle weakness in the arms and legs that can cause you to trip and drop things.

While symptoms of ALS differ from person to person, as they depend on which nerve cells are affected, ALS usually starts with muscle weakness that spreads and worsens as time goes on.

According to the Mayo Clinic, other symptoms might include; hand weakness or clumsiness, slurred speech or trouble swallowing and thinking or behavioural changes.

The Mayo Clinic explains that, for about 10 percent of people with ALS, a genetic cause can be identified.

However, for the rest, the cause is not known.

Euphoria is set to begin production of the third season in a few days' time (14 April) (HBO)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that although no one knows the cause of ALS for sure, reports suggest that less than 30,000 people in the United States have ALS.

There is currently no cure for ALS, and people diagnosed with the condition usually live three to five years after diagnosis, according to the Muscular Dystrophy Association. However, with that said, some patients can live for decades.

You can find out more about motor neurone disease (MND) on the official NHS website here.

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