Posted on 10/15/126 by Colin Vassallo
Today, I AM ALS, the largest patient-led ALS advocacy
movement, announced that former AEW wrestler Tanea Brooks,
known to wrestling fans around the world as “Rebel,” has
been named the very first Honorary Member of its Board of
Directors.Wrestling news updates
The announcement follows final Congressional passage of the
Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS
Reauthorization Act of 2026 (ACT for ALS) on September 28,
when the U.S. Senate approved the bill by unanimous consent
just ahead of the law’s September 30 expiration. Co-authored
by I AM ALS co-founder Brian Wallach, ACT for ALS extends
the programs created by the landmark law through fiscal year
2031, and now heads to the President’s desk to be signed
into law.
Rebel joined I AM ALS as an official Ambassador in June
2026, just weeks after publicly sharing her ALS diagnosis,
launching a call-to-action PSA encouraging fans to join the
fight to end ALS. In her video message, she asked fans to
“step into the ring with I AM ALS” and help spread awareness
of ACT for ALS. Her advocacy was instrumental in getting the
bill across the finish line.
As an honorary Board member, Brooks will continue to elevate
her story, lived experience, and platform to I AM ALS’s
mission and activate fans nationwide to take action on
behalf of people living with ALS.
“Advocacy for ALS is a major priority in my battle, ” said
Tanea ‘Rebel’ Brooks, about her decision to take on this
enhanced leadership role. “And I plan to continue to fight
the good fight with I AM ALS to find a cure and help others
get access to treatment.
In the months since her announcement, Brooks has transformed
her platform into a powerful force for the I AM ALS
community, turning moments that celebrate her career into
opportunities to drive awareness, raise critical funds, and
mobilize action. AEW released Rebel Heart-branded
merchandise in her honor, including a shirt, bracelet, and
Rebel Micro Brawler figure, and Upper Deck continued the
effort with a limited edition “Rebel” trading card, with all
proceeds going to I AM ALS and Team Gleason. On September 9,
AEW Rebel Heart Dynamite aired live on TBS and HBO Max from
Akins Ford Arena in Athens, Georgia, honoring Brooks and
raising funds for both organizations. As the September 30
deadline for ACT for ALS approached, Brooks personally
rallied her fans to sign the I AM ALS petition urging
Congress to reauthorize the legislation.
“Tanea turned a devastating moment into immediate action,
calling us soon after her diagnosis to join the movement,”
said Andrea Goodman, CEO of I AM ALS. “She uses her
platform, humor, vulnerability and unwavering honesty to
make people pay attention, and take action. Welcoming
‘Rebel’ to our Board as Congress reauthorizes ACT for ALS is
a powerful reflection of what she has helped us achieve and
what this movement is built on: collective power and
visibility of the very people living with the disease.”
Supporters can donate at iamals.org/rebel and follow I AM
ALS on Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, Threads,
YouTube, and Bluesky.