BOSTON, MA – The Boston Bruins will host their first Progeria Awareness Night this Saturday, November 9, during their game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Bruins will support the cause in numerous ways before, during, and after the game.

Progeria is a rare rapid aging disease that affects 1 in every 4 to 8 million newborns. Foxboro, MA native Sam Berns, a Progeria patient who has a longstanding relationship with the Boston Bruins Organization and players, will be performing the ceremonial puck drop to start the game. Sam will also serve as an Assistant Equipment Manager for the team, he will help prep the Bruins bench for the game, assist the players with their equipment, and set up the player’s lockers. The Bruins coaches, management, as and staff will all be wearing Progeria Research Foundation pins and bracelets during the game.

Bruins alternate captain Patrice Bergeron will be hosting the Berns family in Patrice’s Pals, his ongoing charitable initiative.

All in-game fundraising activities on Thursday night as well as proceeds from the 50/50 raffle will benefit the Progeria Research Foundation. Fans can also instantly donate $10 to the Progeria Research Foundation from their mobile phones by texting “Progeria” to 80888.

Fans wishing to learn more about Sam Berns and the Progeria disease can watch the HBO documentary “Life According to Sam” which chronicles Sam’s life and the research his mother is doing to find a cure. The movie is being nominated for numerous awards at film festivals across the US. The trailer for “Life According to Sam” can be found below.

About The Progeria Research Foundation (PRF)

The Progeria Research Foundation (PRF) was established in 1999 to find the cause, treatment and cure for Progeria – a rapid aging disease that causes children to die from heart disease or stroke at an average age of 13 years. Over the past 14 years, research conducted in partnership with PRF has identified the gene that causes Progeria and a treatment. PRF is currently funding a clinical trial in which children with Progeria receive the proven treatment plus two additional medications, hoping the 3-drug combination will slow the progression of Progeria. PRF continues to identify more children who can benefit from the programs and services that it provides while helping advance research towards treatment and cure. To learn more about Progeria and what you can do to help, please visit www.progeriaresearch.org.