What Your Generosity Makes Possible
Welcome to the Legacy Connection, a digital digest connecting generous supporters to our vision to cure ALS together. Discover how your support delivers care, fuels hope, and accelerates ALS research.
Visit our website to learn how you can partner with us to power mission priorities.
Celebrating Impact: Launching the C. Dean Rasmussen Legacy Society
A legacy is more than a gift. It is a promise that progress toward cures for ALS will continue.
At the 2026 Champions for Cures and Care Gala, we were honored to launch the C. Dean Rasmussen Legacy Society, recognizing those who have chosen to include the ALS Network in their estate plans.
Read More
The Champions for Cures and Care Gala brought together friends, partners, and longtime supporters for a celebratory and deeply meaningful evening. Guests gathered to honor our Essey Award recipients and recognize the individuals and organizations whose leadership and generosity continue to power ALS care, research, and advocacy.
One of the most special moments of the evening was the announcement of the C. Dean Rasmussen Legacy Society. Our Legacy Society honors those who have chosen to include the ALS Network in their estate plans, ensuring their commitment to the ALS community lives on.
Becoming a member of the Legacy Society is a powerful way to honor someone you love, reflect your values, and strengthen the future of ALS care and research. Members are recognized for their commitment and welcomed into a community of dedicated supporters who create lasting impact.
To learn more about the C. Dean Rasmussen Legacy Society, please download our brochure.
View more information about the C. Dean Rasmussen Legacy Society.
No Family Faces ALS Alone: Dante’s Story
When Amy was diagnosed with ALS, Dante stepped into a role he never expected: full-time caregiver, advocate, and steady anchor for his family.
With support from the ALS Network’s Care Services, he found the guidance and resources his family needed to navigate each new challenge.
Read More
The ALS Network’s Care Services offer vital support to individuals and families facing ALS, ensuring no one has to navigate this journey alone.
Take Dante, a devoted husband and father, who found strength in the network’s resources while caring for his wife after her ALS diagnosis. Dante’s story shows the impact of the ALS Network’s services, from emotional support to access to specialized equipment and expert guidance. In his words, “It’s been a lifeline, offering not just care but a sense of understanding.”
Care managers help caregivers like Dante manage the complex, evolving needs of their loved ones. From assistance with daily activities to clinical resources, the ALS Network provides the guidance families need to cope and maintain quality of life. Through one-on-one support, connections to local resources, and up-to-date information on treatment options, the ALS Network ensures families never face ALS alone.
While Dante and Amy’s journey is deeply personal, they are not alone. The ALS Network’s Care Services reach families across the region, delivering practical support where it is needed most.
Turning a Diagnosis into Advocacy: Eric Dane’s Legacy
When Eric Dane (1972-2026) shared his ALS diagnosis in April 2025, he made a choice: to use his voice.
Read More
Actor Eric Dane, remembered for Grey’s Anatomy and Euphoria, shared a life-changing diagnosis in April 2025: he had Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). While facing the challenges of this progressive disease, Dane had transformed his personal journey into a platform for awareness, support, and advocacy.
Despite the physical effects of ALS, Eric continued to pursue his passion for acting. In late 2025, he guest-starred on the NBC drama Brilliant Minds, portraying a character living with ALS, a role enriched by his own experience. Through storytelling, he brought authenticity to the screen while raising public understanding of life with ALS.
Beyond acting, Eric emerged as a powerful voice for the ALS community. The ALS Network honored him as our 2025 Advocate of the Year, recognizing his efforts to shine a light on the realities of ALS and the urgent need for research and resources.
Eric’s story reminds us that even in the face of ALS, individuals can inspire, educate, and create meaningful impact. By speaking openly about his journey, he not only raised awareness but also encouraged families, caregivers, and people living with ALS to connect, share, and support one another. Through his courage and advocacy, Eric demonstrated the power of turning personal challenge into community strength.
Eric’s decision to speak openly about his diagnosis reflects the power of advocacy to create change. At the ALS Network, advocacy extends beyond awareness. It includes advancing legislation that protects access to care, securing funding for research, and ensuring the voices of people living with ALS and their families are heard at every level. Together, these efforts strengthen the ALS community and move progress forward.
Uniting for Faster Progress in ALS Research
Progress in ALS research cannot wait. That is why the ALS Network and ALS ONE have come together in a strategic integration designed to accelerate discovery and expand access to care.
Together, the ALS Network and ALS ONE are building a stronger, more connected ALS community, one where research moves faster, care reaches more people, and families feel the impact of progress today.
To learn more, we invite you to review our press release and a Frequently Asked Questions page with additional details.
This Tax Season: One Check Box—Real Impact.
By selecting Code 447 on your California state tax return, you can direct $1 or more to the California ALS Research Network Voluntary Tax Contribution Fund, supporting research for new treatments and cures. When thousands of Californians participate, these small gifts add up to powerful impact—and help ensure ALS research remains on the state tax form by meeting the $250,000 annual goal.
Turn tax season into a moment of impact and spread the word. Read more about the Tax Fund Here.
Never Give Up: Gary’s Legacy of Impact
More than 400 people gathered to celebrate Gary’s life, a reflection of how deeply he touched his community. Selfless, friendly, and always ready to help, Gary lived with generosity, faith, and determination. His two favorite reminders were: “Never Give Up. Never Surrender.” from Galaxy Quest and “Never, never, never give up.” from Winston Churchill.
When ALS entered Gary’s life, he approached it the same way he approached everything else: by seeking answers, taking action, and refusing to give up. Though his time after diagnosis was brief, his resolve continues to inspire those who loved him.
Today, Gary’s family honors his legacy by supporting research, care, and advocacy through the ALS Network so others facing ALS can find answers, support, and hope.
Sharing stories like Gary’s reminds us that every life leaves a lasting impact. We invite you to share your story, honor loved ones, and help strengthen the community working toward better treatments and cures.
Inspire hope and honor the journey.
Join the C. Dean Rasmussen Legacy Society Today
The ALS Network’s Legacy Society is a special group of supporters who have made a meaningful commitment to changing the world. Members of this dedicated group of supporters make a lasting impact on our mission and also receive invitations to exclusive events, impact reports and recognition in our publications.