Saturday, September 13, 2014

Hillary B. Smith Representing 'A Million Happy Nows' in Harrisburg's Walk to End Alzheimer's

The annual Walk to End Alzheimer's will take place in Harrisburg on Saturday, September 20 on City Island. The event raises awareness and funds for Alzheimer's care, support and research.

Actress and producer Hillary B. Smith, who starred for over 20 years as Nora Buchanan on One Life to Live after a successful run as Margo Hughes in As the Worlds, will be in Harrisburg, serving as captain of team "A Million Happy Nows." The team is named for a film that she is acting in and producing with Crystal Chappell.

In A Million Happy Nows, veteran actress Lainey Allen (Chappell) is tired of being sidelined for younger talent on the soap she has starred in for twenty years. Coupled with finding it harder to retain her lines, she decides not to renew her contract, and she and her publicist and partner, Eva Morales (Jessica Leccia), move to their weekend house overlooking the ocean on the Central California coast. The move highlights some small changes in Lainey’s personality – mild depression that Eva puts down to leaving the show. But when Lainey starts to forget more than can be attributed to stress, Eva insists on a visit to the doctor.

The film chronicles Lainey and Eva’s changing relationship as they struggle to deal with the diagnosis of Lainey’s Early Onset Alzheimer’s, the prospect of an indomitable woman’s future of dependence and her single support system – the woman who was once in awe of her, became everything to her, and will now look after her.

"When you see this film, you'll see Alzheimer's doesn't care who the victim is; it has no boundaries and it hits the whole family. This is really a three character story – Lainey, Eva and Alzheimer's. Who is going to be the winner?" Smith told PennLive.com. She plays the role of the soap opera's executive producer in the movie, which will be released at upcoming film festivals.

Through working on the movie, set to begin filming next month in California, Smith has become passionate about making people aware of Alzheimer's disease. She also has a personal connection to Alzheimer's disease; two uncles were diagnosed with it and one has since died.

"This movie has been a rewarding experience already and we haven't even started filming," Smith said. "As we have researched, everybody who has been touched by the disease has been so open in reaching out and telling us about the disease. It's been so heartfelt and humbling to see people who just want to get the word out, who want to explain what they're feeling and who want to find a cure."

Click here to donate to ALS on the A Million Happy Nows Walk page. For more on the film, visit amillionhappynows.com.

RELATED:
- We Love Soaps TV: Hillary B. Smith Previews 'Beacon Hill'

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