All it took was one viewing of a documentary about the life of a Foxboro resident for Patriots owner Bob Kraft to make a challenge to help raise money for Progeria research.
The film, Life Accordng to Sam, documents the life of Sam Berns who is a local high school student and suffers from the rapid aging disease.
After seeing the documentary, Kraft has pledged to match up to $500,000 in donations to the Progeria Research Foundation though Oct. 23, Berns' birthday.
"I have fallen in love with Sam and I am sure that sentiment is shared by anyone who has ever spent time with him," said Kraft on the foundation's website. Life According to Sam is an amazing and powerful film that will introduce Sam, his family and his story to a national audience. Sam is a star and what his parents have achieved in their search to find a cure is incredibly inspirational.
The funds will be used to help set up a new clinical trial to help find a cure for the disease.
Progeria is a rare genetic condition that accelerates the aging process in children. About 1 in 4 - 8 million newborns are affected by the disease according to the Progeria Research Foundation and an estimated 200-250 children are living worldwide with the disease at anytime.
To donate, click here.
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