Sam Berns
Sam Berns was an American activist with progeria who raised awareness about the disease and was the subject of the HBO documentary Life According to Sam.
Activist
October 23, 1996
January 10, 2014
17
Sampson Gordon Berns, also known as Sam Berns, was an American activist who had progeria, a rare and fatal condition causing accelerated aging. He played a significant role in raising awareness about the disease, featuring in the HBO documentary “Life According to Sam.” His inspiring TEDx talk, which has been viewed nearly 40 million times, has motivated countless people. In addition to his activism, Sam was a musician, an Eagle Scout, and a junior at Foxboro High School. Remarkably, he lived longer than most patients with progeria.