Eric Dane got candid about his battle with ALS before his death

Eric Dane, who played the cheeky "McSteamy" Dr. Mark Sloan in the ABC medical drama "Grey's Anatomy," has died at 53 following a battle with ALS.

Short for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, ALS is a rare degenerative disease that can impact the brain and spinal cord. Dane, who died Feb. 19, revealed in April that he was diagnosed with the illness, commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

ALS is a serious condition that progressively degrades, then kills nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, according to the National Institutes of Health. Despite the severity of the disease, Dane worked up until his final days, appearing recently on NBC's "Brilliant Minds" as a firefighter diagnosed with ALS. He is also slated to reprise his role as Cal Jacobs on the upcoming third season of HBO's "Euphoria."

What Eric Dane said about his battle with ALS

Amid his battle with the disease, Dane made a point to speak out on its effects and raise awareness.

The actor met with Rep. Eric Swalwell of California in September to discuss the condition. In footage shared by the congressman on TikTok, Dane can be heard vowing to fight until the end.

"I'm going to ring every bell," Dane said. "I have two daughters at home. I want to see them graduate college, get married, maybe even have grandkids. I want to be there for all that so I'm going to fight until the last breath on this one." 

Speaking at an I Am ALS-hosted panel in December, Dane reiterated that sentiment, expressing his dedication to continue working despite the physical symptoms of the disease.

"I'm fairly limited in what I can do physically as an actor, but I still have my brain, and I still have my speech, so I'm willing to just do about anything. I'll take on any role," he said. "I'm grateful that I can still work in any capacity."

He called it "imperative that I share my journey with as many people as I can because I don't feel like my life is about me anymore."

Eric Dane leaned on family amid ALS diagnosis

Announcing his diagnosis to People magazine in April, Dane asked for privacy and thanked his family for their continued support.

"I have been diagnosed with ALS," he shared at the time. "I am grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter.

"I feel fortunate that I am able to continue working and am looking forward to returning to set of 'Euphoria' next week," he told People. "I kindly ask that you give my family and I privacy during this time."

Contributing: Erin Jensen, KiMi Robinson, Edward Segarra, Natalie Alund and Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY