Women Who Inspire: Lauren Miller Rogen
Alzheimer's has been part of my life as long as I can remember. I lost my grandfather to it when I was 12 and my grandmother when I was 18. Now, I'm losing my mother to it. She was diagnosed with younger-onset Alzheimer's at age 55.
A lot has changed since her diagnosis. My mother, a teacher for 35 years, can no longer feed herself, dress herself or recognize her loved ones. The more I lose my mom to Alzheimer's, the more I experience how painful it is to miss someone who is sitting right in front of you.
My mom was an incredible woman. She was a mother, a teacher, a friend to many, a caregiver for her own parents, and so much more. She showed me what women are capable of doing—how much they can handle and how hard they can fight. That's why I am fighting as hard as I can and doing everything I know I am capable of to change the future for my family.
My husband, Seth Rogen, and I founded Hilarity for Charity to get younger people involved. By 2050, as many as 16 million people with have Alzheimer's disease. Who are these 16 million? My generation! So it is up to us to raise awareness and funds to find treatments and a cure.
I know my mom would be proud of the work I am doing.