''For Hope'' is a 1996 American

made-for-television A television film, alternatively known as a television movie, made-for-TV film/movie or TV film/movie, is a feature-length film that is produced and originally distributed by or to a television network, in contrast to theatrical films made for ...

drama film In film and television, drama is a category or genre of narrative fiction (or semi-fiction) intended to be more serious than humorous in tone. Drama of this kind is usually qualified with additional terms that specify its particular super ...

starring

Dana Delany Dana Welles Delany (born March 13, 1956) is an American actress. After appearing in small roles early in her career, Delany received her breakthrough role as Colleen McMurphy on the ABC television drama ''China Beach'' (1988–1991), for which ...

and directed by

Bob Saget Robert Lane Saget (May 17, 1956 – January 9, 2022) was an American stand-up comedian, actor, and television host. Saget played Danny Tanner on the ABC sitcom ''Full House'' (1987-1995), and reprised the role for its Netflix sequel '' Fulle ...

. Based on Saget's sister Gay, the movie showed the experience of a young woman fatally afflicted with the disease

scleroderma Scleroderma is a group of autoimmune diseases that may result in changes to the skin, blood vessels, muscles, and internal organs. The disease can be either localized to the skin or involve other organs, as well. Symptoms may include areas o ...

. Other cast members included Tracy Nelson and Chris Demetral. Dana Delany had to have some significant

prosthetic makeup Prosthetic makeup also called special make-up effects and FX prosthesis) is the process of using prosthetic sculpting, molding and casting techniques to create advanced cosmetic effects. Prosthetic makeup goes back to the beginning of film maki ...

applied to simulate the various degrees of disfigurement the main character, Hope, experienced as a result of the disease. The original airing achieved the top

Nielsen ratings Nielsen Media Research (NMR) is an American firm that measures media audiences, including television, radio, theatre, films (via the AMC Theatres MAP program), and newspapers. Headquartered in New York City, it is best known for the Nielsen rat ...

for the

time slot Broadcast programming is the practice of organizing or ordering (scheduling) of broadcast media shows, typically radio and television, in a daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly or season-long schedule. Modern broadcasters use broadcast automation ...

. The movie has periodically been rerun on various TV networks and is available on DVD and VHS for a $20 donation at th
Scleroderma Research Foundation
An extra feature of the movie was that it included a cameo appearance by Scleroderma Research Foundation founder

Sharon Monsky Sharon Monsky (1953–2002) founded the Scleroderma Research Foundation. Monsky was born in Omaha, Nebraska on October 23, 1953. She was a competitive figure skater as a teenager. Monsky received a BA in Economics at Pitzer College, wher ...

References

External links

* 1996 films 1996 drama films 1996 television films American Broadcasting Company original programming Films about diseases Films directed by Bob Saget American drama television films 1990s American films {{US-tv-film-stub