Funnyman Seth Rogen hit Capitol Hill to give moving testimony about a serious issue — Alzheimer’s funding. And while he started out with jokes ...
ROGEN: “Thank you for ... the opportunity to be called an expert at something.” (Via BBC)
He turned serious about the issue near and dear to his heart.
ROGEN: “It needs to be yelled and screamed to the point that it finally gets the attention and funding that it deserves and needs." (Via C-SPAN)
Rogen spoke about his mother-in-law, who by the age of 60 forgot how to speak and go to the bathroom by herself.
He also talked about his charity, Hilarity for Charity, which is focused on educating young people about the disease.
The actor tweeted: “All those empty seats are senators who are not prioritizing Alzheimer's. Unless more noise is made, it won't change.”
And when Illinois Sen. Mark Kirk tweeted thanks to Rogen for coming, Rogen tweeted back asking why the senator left before his speech.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association:
--Alzheimer’s is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States
--In 2013 an estimated 5.2 million Americans are living with the disease.
--By 2025, that number is expected to reach 7.1 million.
And it’s the only cause of death in the top 10 that can’t be stopped or even slowed. (Via Alzheimer's Association)
In early 2014, President Obama signed into law a $122 million increase in funding for the disease — which will bring the total federal funding of Alzheimer’s disease to near 600 million in 2014.
Rogen, by the way, wasn’t the only celeb on the Hill Wednesday. Ben Affleck — a regular to congressional testimony — was there speaking about the Congo. (Via WJLA)
