HBO documentary premieres at Sundance Film Festival and tells the story of young Sam Berns and his parents, who have made great strides in helping other children with Progeria.
Young Sam Berns is telling his life story on the big screen this week at the Sundance Film Festival. Sam has a rare genetic condition called Progeria. Simply put, it's a fatal, premature aging syndrome that affects one in every 4-8 million newborns. Most children with Progeria don't live past 13, dying from premature heart disease, heart attacks or strokes. Sam, however, turns 16 this year. Thanks to Sam and his parents Drs. Leslie Gordon and Scott Berns, who refused to despair when they were given the heartbreaking prognosis when their son was two, huge strides have been made in Progeria research in the past 14 years. They founded the world's leading institution on Progeria right here in Peabody, which is now led by Sam's aunt Audrey …
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Progeria Research Foundation
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Hundreds came down for the 11th annual road race to help support the Progeria Research Foundation on Saturday.
Hundreds of runners and walkers gathered in front of City Hall Saturday morning to stride out for a cure to a delibitating childhood disease -- progeria. The International Race for Research, which is in its 11th year, is sponsored by the Progeria Research Foundation, which is based out of Peabody. The winners of the day's 5K road race for both men and women were Peabody residents Dan Vassallo (1st overall, 17:37) and Nancy Hathaway (9th overall, 20:24). For a complete list of racers and awards by age group, click here -- you may even see a few names you recognize (we hold no grudges for misspelled names).
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Saber Walsh
6:36 am on Tuesday, January 22, 2013
The Progeria community is so strong right here in Peabody, and you can't have a heart if you don't at least attend the annual benefit run during the Fall and make a contribution... or make a contribution ANY time of year for Progeria Research. God bless these children and their parents, and as importantly, the researchers who will hopefully soon find a cure. more ›