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Rebel named first honorary board member of I AM ALS

Posted: Oct 16th 2026 By: Joseph Currier

Rebel (Tanea Brooks) is taking on an additional role as she continues her advocacy work for I AM ALS.

The non-profit group issued a press release today announcing that Rebel has been named the very first honorary member of its board of directors. She first joined I AM ALS this summer, and AEW has donated money to the organization through its Rebel Heart fundraising efforts. I AM ALS is a patient-led group that is “accelerating a cure for ALS by mobilizing collective power to drive urgent policy and systems change.”

In her honorary board member role, Rebel 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,” Rebel said. “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.”

Rebel announced her ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) diagnosis this May following a long health battle where doctors could not fully figure out what was causing her issues. The terminal neurodegenerative disease does not currently have a cure, but organizations like I AM ALS are fighting for a future where lifespans will be extended and a cure will eventually be found. Rebel and I AM ALS successfully advocated for a congressional act that would expand access to investigational therapies.

“Tanea turned a devastating moment into immediate action, calling us soon after her diagnosis to join the movement,” I AM ALS CEO Andrea Goodman said. “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.”

AEW celebrates Rebel with special Dynamite episode —

Last month, AEW celebrated Rebel with a special “Rebel Heart” Dynamite episode where she appeared and took part in the event. One silver lining in such an awful situation is that Rebel has been able to see how much people love her and care about her.

“The greatest thing ALS has given me is to be able to see how much people care and love and support me before I am gone,” she told WDRB News this summer.