"Sam Berns dies at 17" Massachusetts teen dies of rare aging disease

Sam Berns and Zdeno Chara #33 of the Boston Bruins walk out to center ice for the ceremonial puck drop before the game on Nov. 9, 2013 in
Boston, Massachusetts.

A Massachusetts teenager who became a well-known face of the premature aging disease progeria has died, his family confirmed online.

Sam Berns, of Foxborough, Mass., died on Friday at 17 years old, according to a statement posted on the website of the Progeria Research Foundation. Children with the rare disease live on average 13 years before succumbing to the genetic condition, which gives them the appearance of accelerated aging.

Berns was the subject of a 2013 HBO documentary film,"Life According to Sam." The film drew the attention of
Robert Kraft, the owner of the New England Patriots NFL football team, which plays in Berns' hometown. The
Patriots planned a moment of silence in the teenager's honor before their playoff game against the Indianapolis
Colts on Saturday night, local media reported.
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