Rebecca Gayheart has publicly acknowledged a crowdfunding campaign created to support her two daughters following the death of their father, actor Eric Dane, who passed away at age 53 after battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
The 54-year-old actress utilized her Instagram Stories platform on Saturday, February 21, to share several photographs from the family's archives while directing followers to the GoFundMe initiative. Accompanying a screenshot of the fundraising page, Gayheart wrote a brief message expressing gratitude: "Thank you to everyone."
Dane's death was confirmed on Thursday, February 19, following what family members described as a courageous battle with the progressive neurodegenerative disease. According to a statement released by the family, the actor spent his final days in the company of close friends, his wife, and his two daughters, Billie and Georgia.
"He spent his final days surrounded by dear friends, his devoted wife and his two beautiful daughters, Billie and Georgia, who were the center of his world," the family statement read. "Throughout his journey with ALS, Eric became a passionate advocate for awareness and research, determined to make a difference for others facing the same fight."
The actor, known for prominent roles in television series including Grey's Anatomy and Euphoria, announced his ALS diagnosis in April 2025, approximately one year before his death. The disease, also referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease, destroys motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord, according to medical authorities at the Mayo Clinic. This destruction leads to progressive muscle weakness, atrophy, and eventual paralysis. No cure currently exists for the condition.
In what would become his final interview, Dane appeared on the Netflix series "Famous Last Words," which aired the day following his death. During the conversation, the actor demonstrated remarkable perspective regarding his diagnosis and its effects on his physical condition.
"I have always had a sense of humor about this," Dane stated during the interview. "It is really kind of interesting what is happening to my body. The mechanics of this disease is pretty interesting to me. It is when you zoom in and look at how it affects the individual moments is when it can actually bring you down a little bit."
The establishment of the GoFundMe campaign prompted discussion on social media platforms, leading Mike McGuiness, a friend of Dane for nearly two decades, to publicly address the fundraising effort. McGuiness explained the reasoning behind the campaign in a statement posted to Instagram on Friday, February 20.
"My friend of almost two decades just left us after a brutal battle with ALS," McGuiness wrote. "I am the positive spin guy and can come up with something hopeful in most any situation. This one broke me."
McGuiness further elaborated on the financial circumstances that necessitated the fundraising campaign. "COVID and ALS did a number on his work life and he, sadly, could not leave his family with the resources he had hoped," he explained, noting that the campaign was created to assist Dane's daughters during this difficult transition.
The family has requested privacy as they navigate the grieving process. In their official statement, they acknowledged the support Dane received throughout his illness and expressed gratitude for the continued outpouring of sympathy from fans and colleagues in the entertainment industry.
The fundraising campaign represents a community effort to provide financial stability for Dane's children as they face life without their father. Gayheart's public acknowledgment of the initiative signals her acceptance of the support being offered during this challenging period for the family.