Last year B. Smith revealed to the world her battle with Alzheimer’s disease. The former model, TV host and restaurateur who was once hailed as a “Renaissance woman” by the New York Times first noticed symptoms five years ago. She was diagnosed after doctors at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City performed a scan and noticed signs of amyloid protein.
During an interview with CBS News, Smith said that she couldn’t remember things as simple as the date, month or year. “Things like that make me very sad,” she said.
Smith isn’t alone in her battle with the disease. Not only does she have her husband and business partner of 22 years at her side, but Broadway stars are showing their support as well.
Tony Award nominee Keith David, Les Miserables star Megan Osterhaus, Motown: the Musical star N’Kenge, opera star John Davies and chef Marcus Samuelsson have teamed up to host an event in New York City to honor Smith, according to the Associated Press. Proceeds will support the educational efforts of Positive Approach to Care, which helps people cope with changing needs due to the effects of dementia.
The event, which will be held on Monday, will be a musical cabaret that brings together the voices of Broadway stars and top voiceover actors who, through song and spoken word, lend their voices to the millions of people who have lost their voices to Alzheimer’s disease.