It is Cult Faction’s sad duty to report that Stephen Hillenburg (creator of SpongeBob Squarepants) has been diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

In a statement the 55-year-old said that he would continue to work on the animated series “for a long as I am able.”

“I wanted people to hear directly from me that I have been diagnosed with ALS,” Hillenburg said. “Anyone who knows me knows that I will continue to work on ‘SpongeBob SquarePants’ and my other passions for as long as I am able. My family and I are grateful for the outpouring of love and support. We ask that our sincere request for privacy be honored during this time.”

ALS causes the death of neurons that control voluntary muscles. There is no known cure for the disease.

Cult Faction would like to thank Stephen for all he has done and wish him well in his future.