Why a famous comedian told Congress that Alzheimer's is no laughing matter

Over the years we have become used to seeing Hollywood celebrities testifying before Congress, championing a cause dear to their heart. Regardless of what we think of the individual involved, it’s a powerful and effective way to focus attention, particularly the media’s attention, on important issues.

Yesterday, comedian, movie star, writer, director and producer Seth Rogen appeared before a Senate Subcommittee and talked about his mother-in-law’s struggles with Alzheimer’s and the need for more funding for research into this awful disease.

So why am I writing about that here? Because Rogen is married to Lauren Miller, the Patient Advocate member of our governing Board for Alzheimer’s. It’s her mother he talks about when he says:

“After forgetting who her loved ones are, my mother-in-law, a teacher for 35 years, then forgot how to speak, feed herself, dress herself, and go to the bathroom by herself. All by age of 60.

"The situation is so dire, that it caused me, a lazy, self-involved, generally self-medicated man-child, to start an entire charity organization."

The organization he founded with Lauren is called Hilarity for Charity and its goal is to raise money for research and for families struggling with the illness, and to raise awareness about the disease, particularly among younger people.

In his address to the Senators, Rogen uses humor to get their attention, but once he has that he talks movingly and with great passion. It’s a wonderful, powerful presentation that gets to the very heart of how this disease impacts individuals and families and why we need more money for research. So share this short video clip with your friends.

Right now there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, and the few therapies that do exist work for only about half the patients, and only help ease symptoms for between 6-12 months. That’s why we are funding 16 different research projects into finding new treatments for Alzheimer’s

kevin mccormack