Valerie Harper is living the remainder of her life to the fullest. Four months after revealing she was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer, the 73-year-old Mary Tyler Moore Show actress began working on a new TV movie.
On Wednesday, July 31, UP cable channel confirmed to The Associated Press that Harper is filming The Town That Came A-Courtin' in Canada. The film, based on a novel by Ronda Rich, is an "uplifting romance," according to UP. The network said they welcomed the "inspirational" actress to join the film with costars Lauren Holly, Cameron Bancroft and Lucie Guest.
Harper announced to the public in March that she had been diagnosed with leptomeningeal carcinomatosis in January. The rare condition causes cancer cells to metastasize into the fluid-filled membrane enveloping the brain.
During an interview with the TODAY show on March 11, the Rhonda star said doctors gave her a week, three months or years to live. "The thing I have is — is very rare and it's serious and it's incurable . . . so far," she said. "So I'm holding on to the 'so far.'"
Harper said she is remaining "hopeful" and has the intention to "live each . . . moment fully." She added, "I'm not dying until I do."
Harper's film, The Town That Came A-Courtin', will air on the UP channel in January 2014.