Grey’s Anatomy and Euphoria star Eric Dane has been diagnosed with the degenerative disease ALS.

“I have been diagnosed with ALS,” the 52-year-old actor told People. “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 said, while asking for privacy for himself and his family.

Dane is married to actress Rebecca Gayheart; their daughters are Billie Beatrice, 15, and Georgia Geraldine, 13.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig‘s disease for the New York Yankee Hall of Famer who succumbed to the disorder, is a rare motor neuron disease.

“The disease affects the nerve cells in both the upper and lower parts of the body. It causes the muscles to become weak and leads to paralysis,” according to the US Centers for Disease Control. Patients eventually lose their abilities to speak, eat, walk and breathe independently.

About 5,000 people are diagnosed every year. The cause of ALS is unknown, and there is no known cure. – New York Daily News/Tribune News Service