“Real-Life Benjamin Button” Sam Berns dies at 17 from rare aging disease
By Quimby Mari Genota | Jan 12, 2014 10:53 PM EST
The Real Life Benjamin Button, Sam Berns, who suffered from Progeria, a rare premature aging disease died last Friday, at the age of 17.
This kind of disease makes the body change and age abnormally.
Sam Bern died of a fatal condition that causes abnormal aging of children, is just in high school and known in the film "Life according to Sam", where he had been busy travelling around the world for promotion.
The film is promotes awareness of the Progeria and help urges to live with hope and love.
The documentary is shortlisted in the 15 films for the Academy Awards for best documentary.
Robert Kraft, a philanthropist and owner of the New England patriot requested a moment of silence for his memory. Sam Bern was the official mascot of the New England Patriots and dedicated their victory over Indianapolis Colts 43-22 for the Progeria victim.
Kraft post in statement on the team's website:
"I loved Sam Berns and am richer for having known him. He was a special young man whose inspirational story and positive outlook on life touched my heart. I am so lucky to have had the opportunity to spend time with him and to get to know his incredible family," the Patriots owner said in a statement on the team's website.
On October, Kraft donated $500,000 to the foundation for more possible search for the cure of Sam's disease.
Sam's parents, Leslie Gordon and Scott Berns, both are doctors, founded Progeria Research Foundation after he was diagnosed with such disease when he was 22 months old year 1999. This foundation had raised $15 million to search cure for the rare aging disease.
The Progeria Research Foundation confirmed the news through an online statement, "The family of Sam Berns confirmed today that he passed away Friday evening, January 10, due to complications from Progeria."
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