Seth Rogen and Lauren Miller’s Alzheimer’s Awareness Campaign

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Seth Rogen has recently garnered well-deserved acclaim for his latest satire, The Studio, which some might perceive as a more sophisticated comedy compared to the humor found in his earlier films like Superbad, This Is the End, and Pineapple Express. However, if you find The Studio distinctive for Rogen, then you’ll be surprised by Taking Care, a short film directed by the renowned James Keach. This film showcases Rogen but primarily focuses on his wife, Lauren Miller Rogen, and their personal and professional journey with Alzheimer’s disease, particularly in relation to Lauren’s mother, Adele Miller. Seth and Lauren first met in their 20s, and Adele was diagnosed with younger-onset Alzheimer’s disease at the age of 55. In the following five years, she would lose most of her independence.

James Keach, known for his captivating career in filmmaking, directed the 2014 documentary “Glen Campbell: I’ll Be Me” and the 2019 medical documentary “Turning Point,” both centered around Alzheimer’s. The Rogens, who have been actively fundraising for Alzheimer’s research and care through their organization Hilarity for Charity, found in Keach an ideal filmmaker to boost awareness about the disease. Recently, Keach shared insights about the movie with MovieWeb, explaining how the project materialized. You can now watch “Taking Care” on digital platforms like Apple TV, Amazon, and others. Here’s where you can find it.

Nancy Lynn, my partner and employee at Bright Focus Foundation, encountered Bonnie Wattles from Hilarity for Charity. They had both watched the Glenn Campbell documentary and Turning Point, and they assumed that, given my profession as a filmmaker, I might know more about Alzheimer’s than I am comfortable with, as Keach explained.

As a dedicated cinephile, over the years since my mother’s passing, I found myself in possession of an array of poignant materials. One day, my siblings approached me with these items and shared their intentions: “James, this narrative is deeply somber, and we aim to infuse it with a sense of hope while maintaining its authentic grit. Lauren Miller Rogen was adamant that Alzheimer’s not be portrayed as something curable or without tragedy, yet it remains a disease that affects families profoundly.

At a critical juncture when funding for healthcare and scientific advancements is being drastically reduced by powerful anti-government elites, we inquired of Keach about his concerns regarding Alzheimer’s research under the current administration, and whether we risk lagging behind in the pursuit of a cure. “Indeed, yes,” replied Keach without hesitation. “I express my worries not only for science as a whole, but particularly for Alzheimer’s research and research grants. In essence, when you cut funding to academic institutions… It’s far-sightedness at best.

The Ballad of Lauren Miller & Seth Rogen

From a passionate film enthusiast’s perspective, Taking Care offers a poignant exploration of the heartwarming romance between Seth and Lauren Miller Rogen, intertwined with their selfless caregiving journey that spanned over a decade for both their parents. This profound narrative left me deeply inspired as I watched them support each other through thick and thin. As Keach eloquently put it, “The story of their unwavering devotion truly highlights the gritty reality, and when you witness some of the footage depicting Lauren’s mom’s progression with Alzheimer’s, it underscores the film’s authenticity.

It seems that the authors wish to convey that Seth and Lauren aimed to help young people visualize their future should they neglect self-care and caregiving, including their own parents’ wellbeing. They also hoped to educate them on the subject matter, possibly inspiring them to contribute positively in this field.

Keach went on to express his awe at the trials they faced. “To me,” he said, “it’s amazing that as young adults, they were caregivers and managed to stick together through it all. They not only had the means to make a difference, but they also dealt with their personal struggles. It’s tough, really tough, yet their bond was so powerful it kept them united. They’ve continued to stay together, and from this experience, they established Hilarity for Charity, which I believe is an exceptional charity.

Here’s where you can discover additional details about Hilarity for Charity. If you’re interested in taking action, you can learn how over at Taking Care.

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For more information on Hilarity for Charity, check it out here. To learn about taking action, visit Taking Care.

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2025-03-26 06:05