SHARON, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com/AP) - Busloads of Foxborough students paid their respects to the family of a teenager whose battle with a rare genetic condition that accelerates the aging process inspired professional athletes and spurred research.
Foxborough High School provided busses to former classmates of 17-year-old Sam Berns who wished to attend his funeral.
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft joined the students and other mourners at Temple Israel in Sharon Tuesday morning.
The Foxborough teen died Friday of complications from Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome, commonly known as progeria. The Progeria Research Foundation was founded by his parents.
Berns was diagnosed with progeria when he was 22 months old. His parents founded the nonprofit foundation after encountering a lack of information and research on the condition.
Berns became the subject of an HBO documentary, "Life According to Sam." The exposure has brought greater recognition to the condition, which causes musculoskeletal degeneration, cardiovascular problems and other symptoms associated with aging.
A huge Boston sports fan, Berns' fight inspired members of the New England Patriots and Boston Bruins, as well as team owners.
"I loved Sam Berns and am richer for having known him," read a statement from Robert Kraft shortly after Berns' death. "He was a special young man whose inspirational story and positive outlook on life touched my heart. I am so lucky to have had the opportunity to spend time with him and to get to know his incredible family."
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