THE ESSEY AWARDS
Named for one of the organization's founding board members, San Francisco's Richard "Dick" Essey, the prestigious Essey Awards are given annually for outstanding efforts in support of mission priorities in ALS research, care services, and advocacy.
Honorees
Eric Dane
The Dean & Kathleen Rasmussen Advocate of the Year Award is presented to an individual who demonstrates exceptional leadership in advancing the mission of the ALS Network.
This year, acclaimed actor Eric Dane is the esteemed recipient of the Award for his extraordinary and courageous commitment to raising awareness and support for people living with ALS while navigating his own recent diagnosis.
"This award is more than an honor - it's a reflection of the incredible strength and courage I see in the ALS community every day," Dane said. "Facing ALS myself, I know the challenges are real and relentless. But together, through advocacy, awareness, and action, we can move closer to a world without this disease. I share this recognition with every person living with ALS, caregiver, and advocate fighting alongside me."
Dane is best known for his role in ABC's Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild award-winning and Emmy-nominated series, GREY'S ANATOMY, and for the Emmy-nominated HBO series, EUPHORIA. He can currently be seen starring in the Prime Video thriller drama series, COUNTDOWN. Past film credits include Sony's BAD BOYS: RIDE OR DIE, BURLESQUE, VALENTINE'S DAY, and MARLEY AND ME. Dane is using his public platform to amplify the voices of those affected by ALS and help bring international attention to the urgent need for resources and funding in the search for ALS treatments and cures.
The ALS Network Community Research Committee
The ALS Network Community Research Committee (CRC) has been selected to receive the distinguished Essey Commitment to Cures Award.
The CRC was established at the beginning of 2025 to provide ALS community member guidance, recommendations, and feedback to the organization in its urgent mission priority to advance ALS research.
At the end of January, 2026, the CRC will complete its inaugural year, collectively reviewing dozens of proposals, and helping to approve millions of dollars of funding for bold, innovative ALS research concepts. The CRC has made a profound impact on the ALS Network's robust and expanding research agenda, ensuring excellence, innovation, and relevance in the pursuit of unique projects designed to solve critical problems in ALS.
