Farewell to Sam

Earlier this month, we updated you on our work with The Progeria Research Foundation around the HBO documentary film LIFE ACCORDING TO SAM, and specifically an inspiring TEDx talk delivered by the film’s star, Sam Berns.

Sam passed away on Friday, January 10, 2014. It’s a crushing loss; Sam was an inspiration to everyone he touched in his too-short life. He had an uncanny ability to focus on the positives in his life and shared with the world how he valued his life and his relationships.

Sam didn’t let Progeria define him. He didn’t wait for everything to fall into place in order to find happiness, he decided to be happy and found a way to make life work. He was both realistic and relentlessly happy, and he was brave. He let a film crew into his life to show the world that the only limits we have to face are the ones we give in to; something we are so fantastically grateful for, as we got a chance to bear witness to his wonderful life.

We shared with you Sam’s moving TEDx talk, and at the time, only a few thousand people had found it online. Since January 10, more than 1.7 million people from around the world have watched.

Sam once said “No matter what I choose to become, I believe that I can change the world.”

He sure did. May he rest in peace.