Eric Dane Drops Out of ALS Event Appearance Hours Before ‘Due to the Physical Realities’ of the Illness

Eric Dane dropped out of an ALS event at the last minute this weekend.

The actor, 53, was scheduled to attend the ALS Network’s Champions for Cures and Care Gala on Saturday, Jan. 24, when he was set to be recognized as Advocate of the Year.

However, Dane canceled his appearance hours before, “due to the physical realities of ALS” and not being “well enough to attend,” the ALS Network confirmed.

“We remain deeply grateful for his courage, advocacy and continued commitment to the ALS community, and we honor him fully this evening with our profound respect and support,” the organization said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE, adding that Aaron Lazar, a fellow actor diagnosed with ALS, would instead “accept the award on [Dane’s] behalf.”

Representatives for both Dane and the ALS Network did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment on Sunday, Jan. 25.

Dane revealed his amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) diagnosis exclusively to PEOPLE in April. “I kindly ask that you give my family and I privacy during this time,” he said in a statement.

Speaking to Diane Sawyer for Good Morning America in June, Dane reflected more on his diagnosis, stating, “I wake up every day, and I’m immediately reminded that this is happening. It’s not a dream.”

Dane is a father to two daughters — Billie, 15, and Georgia, 14 — he shares with Rebecca Gayheart. (The actress, 54, married Dane, who has partnered with the nonprofit organization I AM ALS, in 2004. She filed for divorce in 2018, but the pair later called off the split seven years later.)

Back in September, Gayheart told PEOPLE in an exclusive interview that she and her two daughters  are handling Dane’s ALS diagnosis “day by day.” She explained, “We have some professional therapists who are helping us, and we’re just trying to have some hope and do it with dignity, grace and love.”

Despite his Champions for Cures and Care Gala cancellation, Dane still appeared via a pre-taped message, where he accepted his Advocate of the Year honor.

“This award is not just for me, it’s for my beautiful family and loved ones who are fighting, and it’s for every person who has faced ALS with courage, for every caregiver who gives their heart — day after day — and for every advocate who is a voice for progress,” he said.

“The ALS Network makes a powerful impact by uniting care and research to improve and extend the lives of people living with ALS,” Dane continued.

He closed his message, “Thank you from the bottom of my heart for this. With help from the ALS Network, we will finally kick the s— out of ALS.”

Dane’s speech was followed by a video montage that featured footage from some of his most famous roles, as well as tributes from past and present costars, including Ellen Pompeo (Grey’s Anatomy) and Jacob Elordi (Euphoria).

Eric Dane dropped out of an ALS event at the last minute this weekend.

The actor, 53, was scheduled to attend the ALS Network’s Champions for Cures and Care Gala on Saturday, Jan. 24, when he was set to be recognized as Advocate of the Year.

However, Dane canceled his appearance hours before, “due to the physical realities of ALS” and not being “well enough to attend,” the ALS Network confirmed.

“We remain deeply grateful for his courage, advocacy and continued commitment to the ALS community, and we honor him fully this evening with our profound respect and support,” the organization said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE, adding that Aaron Lazar, a fellow actor diagnosed with ALS, would instead “accept the award on [Dane’s] behalf.”

Representatives for both Dane and the ALS Network did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment on Sunday, Jan. 25.

Dane revealed his amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) diagnosis exclusively to PEOPLE in April. “I kindly ask that you give my family and I privacy during this time,” he said in a statement.

Speaking to Diane Sawyer for Good Morning America in June, Dane reflected more on his diagnosis, stating, “I wake up every day, and I’m immediately reminded that this is happening. It’s not a dream.”

Dane is a father to two daughters — Billie, 15, and Georgia, 14 — he shares with Rebecca Gayheart. (The actress, 54, married Dane, who has partnered with the nonprofit organization I AM ALS, in 2004. She filed for divorce in 2018, but the pair later called off the split seven years later.)

Back in September, Gayheart told PEOPLE in an exclusive interview that she and her two daughters  are handling Dane’s ALS diagnosis “day by day.” She explained, “We have some professional therapists who are helping us, and we’re just trying to have some hope and do it with dignity, grace and love.”

Despite his Champions for Cures and Care Gala cancellation, Dane still appeared via a pre-taped message, where he accepted his Advocate of the Year honor.

“This award is not just for me, it’s for my beautiful family and loved ones who are fighting, and it’s for every person who has faced ALS with courage, for every caregiver who gives their heart — day after day — and for every advocate who is a voice for progress,” he said.

“The ALS Network makes a powerful impact by uniting care and research to improve and extend the lives of people living with ALS,” Dane continued.

He closed his message, “Thank you from the bottom of my heart for this. With help from the ALS Network, we will finally kick the s— out of ALS.”

Dane’s speech was followed by a video montage that featured footage from some of his most famous roles, as well as tributes from past and present costars, including Ellen Pompeo (Grey’s Anatomy) and Jacob Elordi (Euphoria).