Seth Rogen Testified Before A Senate Hearing On Alzheimer’s Research, And It Was Wonderful

When she was still in her 50s, Seth Rogen’s mother-in-law was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s. It had a huge effect on the actor, writer and comedian, who was compelled to launch the Hilarity for Charity fundraiser which benefits the Alzheimer’s Association — and who testified overnight at the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health, and Human Services hearing on Alzheimer’s Research.

“First, I should answer the question I assume many of you are asking: yes, I’m aware this has nothing to do with the legalisation of marijuana,” Rogen begins, after a bit of witty sparring with the Chairman. “In fact, if you can believe it, this concerns something that I find even more important.”

In the speech that follows, Rogen tells the heartfelt, eloquent and personal story of his experience with Alzheimer’s: watching his wife’s mother begin to deteriorate, forgetting who she and her loved ones were, and then forgetting how to speak, eat, and go to the bathroom — all by the age of 60.

“Unlike any of the other top ten causes of death in America, there is no way to prevent, cure or even slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease,” he continues. “The situation is so dire that it caused me — a lazy, self-involved generally self-medicated man-child — to start an entire charity organisation.”

“I came here today for a few reasons,” he says. “One, I’m a huge House of Cards fan. I just marathoned the whole thing — had to be here. Two, is to say that people need more help. I’ve personally seen the massive amount of financial strain this disease causes, and if the American people ever decide  to reject genitalia-driven comedy, I will no longer be able to afford it. Please don’t. Therefore, I cannot begin to imagine how people with more limited incomes are dealing with it.”

Watch the footage from C-SPAN below: