Sampson Gordon Berns (October 23, 1996 – January 10, 2014) was an American activist with progeria, an extremely rare and fatal disease that causes the body to age rapidly.

Berns helped raise awareness about the disease,[1][2] and he was the subject of the HBO documentary Life According to Sam, which was first screened in January 2013.

His parents, Scott Berns and Leslie Gordon, both pediatricians, received their son's diagnosis when he was less than two years old.

"[7][8] On January 14, 2014, the Bruins honored Berns with a moment of silence and a video tribute before the start of the game.

[10][11] Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft issued a statement on the news of the passing of Berns.