S.A.M. & Amy Award
Winners
The Progeria Research Foundation Presents: The S.A.M. Award
The Progeria Research Foundation Presents: The S.A.M. Award! The Progeria Research Foundation’s Science And Medicine (SAM) Award is named in honor of Sam Berns, the inspiration for the creation of PRF. Sam’s legacy continues to inspire all those who knew him and were moved by his powerful life philosophies on positivity and kindness. The SAM Award is presented to the PRF supporter who demonstrates outstanding dedication to the science and medicine that propels PRF’s rapid progress toward the cure.
Winners are chosen by PRF’s leadership, and presented at PRF’s Night of Wonder Gala, held every 2-3 years.
Congratulations to our 2024 S.A.M. Award winner, SAMMY BASSO!
PRF Ambassador Sammy Basso, who was close friends with Sam Berns, got a rousing standing ovation as he received the most recent SAM award. A resident of Tezze sul Brenta, Italy, Sammy was diagnosed with Progeria at age two and became the spokesperson of the Sammy Basso Italian Association for Progeria (A.I.Pro.S.B.) when he was just 10 years old. He was among the first to join PRF’s clinical trials, testing the now-FDA-approved drug lonafarnib, the first-ever treatment for Progeria.
Sammy’s studies took him to Padua University, where he earned a degree in Natural Sciences and delivered a thesis on a genetic editing approach in HGPS mice. In 2021, Sammy graduated with a second degree in Molecular Biology with a thesis on the intersection of Lamin A and Interleukin-6, an approach for treating Progeria by targeting the toxic protein, known as progerin. Sammy continues his dedication to finding the cure with his vital research collaborations with PRF and the genetic editing team. He also engages in many public speaking opportunities globally, to raise awareness for Progeria and PRF’s groundbreaking progress toward the cure. Sammy is well-known throughout the world for his tremendous personality and brilliance, and we are so proud to call him our dear friend.
Pharma Expert TOM MATHERS Receives the 2022 S.A.M. Award!
Tom Mathers’ friendship with PRF co-founders Drs. Leslie Gordon and Scott Berns dates back to college, and his sage advice as a successful drug developer in the pharma and biotech world has been given since PRF’s creation.
Tom is the Founder, President and CEO at Allievex, a biotechnology company committed to developing therapeutics for rare pediatric neurological diseases. He worked with PRF on its partnership with Eiger Biopharmaceuticals, which led to the historic FDA approval for lonafarnib as a treatment for Progeria, and he continues to work with PRF on other potential treatments. Tom’s motivation is exactly that of PRF – to save children, and his unique skills within the world of pharmaceutical drug development have been critical to PRF’s growing role in that space. Oh, and he never missed a Night of Wonder Gala with Sam, whom he loved very much. ♥
PR Specialist JOHN SENG was Presented the 2018 S.A.M. Award!
John Seng, Founder, Chair & CEO of Spectrum Science, a health science-focused public relations firm, was recognized for his commitment to raising awareness of Progeria throughout the world, and his tremendous pro bono contributions to PRF for over a decade. John was the creator of PRF’s “Find the Children” Campaign, focused on finding undiagnosed children with Progeria globally. His long-term relationship with PRF began in 2003, when he committed resources to manage the gene discovery news. Under John’s leadership, Spectrum went on to lead PRF’s publicity efforts for many other major announcements, and his team played a pivotal role in the PRF-HBO partnership for Life According to Sam. A former member of PRF’s Board of Directors, we toast John for putting this ultra-rare disease on the world map!
Trial Leader DR. MONICA KLEINMAN Honored with the 2016 S.A.M. Award!
Dr. Monica Kleinman has committed her time, talents and energy to furthering Progeria research in one of the most important ways: as a Principal Investigator for the Progeria clinical trials at
Boston Children’s Hospital (BCH). With her kind and expert bedside manner, she has successfully led these vital trials and gained the trust and respect of the families and all who are involved in them. She was also an original member of PRF’s Board of Directors and Medical Research Committee (MRC). Monica wears many important hats at BCH! She is Associate Chief, Division of Critical Care Medicine; Chief Safety Officer, Program for Patient Safety and Quality; Co-Chair, Resuscitation Quality Program; and is also an Associate Professor of Anesthesia (Pediatrics), Harvard Medical School. We are so fortunate to have her on our team!
Former Trial Leader and Gene Therapy Developer DR. MARK KIERAN Accepts the 2014 S.A.M. Award!
PRF Board Member Dr. Mark Kieran became involved with PRF in 2006, when lonafarnib became the target drug for the first Progeria Clinical Drug trial. Mark was director of Pediatric Medical Neuro-Oncology at Dana Farber Cancer Institute, leading a lonafarnib trial for young Cancer patients. His extensive experience with lonafarnib made him the ideal leader of this effort in partnership with PRF and Boston Children’s Hospital, and when asked, this incredibly busy person said “yes” right away!
After 20 years as Director of Pediatric Neuro-Oncology at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children’s Hospital focused on the development and clinical translation of novel targeted and gene therapies for children with brain cancer, progeria and other infant heart diseases, Dr. Kieran transitioned to industry and is currently the VP of Clinical Development at Day One Biopharmaceutics, a company focused on the development of targeted drugs for children. Mark’s addition to PRF’s Board illustrates PRF’s growing focus on drug development, and we are grateful for all he continues to contribute.
The First-Ever S.A.M. Award Goes to DR. FRANCIS COLLINS in 2011!
Francis Collins holds a very special place in PRF’s heart and history. He has been by PRF’s side almost since the beginning, becoming close friends with Sam Berns and his family, and playing a pivotal role in PRF’s rapid pace of progress. When he was Director of the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), his lab led the discovery of the Progeria gene in 2003.
Inspired by his deep friendship with Sam, Dr. Collins continues to run his lab at NHGRI, demonstrating his enduring commitment to Progeria research until the cure is found. He has made pivotal discoveries in RNA therapy, and is part of the core team working on a gene-edited therapy that could be the cure for Progeria.
Dr. Collins was Science Advisor to three Presidents of the U.S. and former Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). We are incredibly thankful for all that he has done, and continues to do, For the Children ♥ For the Cure.
The Progeria Research Foundation Presents: The Amy Award
The Progeria Research Foundation announces the creation of The Amy Award. Dedicated to Amy Foose, whose sunny personality and love of life continue to inspire all those that knew her, this award is for the PRF supporter who meets the following criteria, of which Amy is most remembered for:
• A role model for how to live a life of joy and optimism;
• A good friend, sibling, and daughter/son;
• A person with a sense of humor and positive attitude;
• Someone who strives to make the most out of every situation and takes on challenges with grace, hope and determination; and
• an individual who has applied the above qualities by tirelessly devoting time, talent and energy to advancing PRF’s mission.
Congratulations to our 2024 Amy Award winners, Kevin Tierney and North Shore Bank!
In 2024, PRF presented the Amy Award to its first individual/business combination: North Shore Bank (NSB) and its CEO Kevin Tierney.
Kevin was honored for his endless generosity, devotion, compassion and all-around extraordinary support towards PRF’s mission, both personally and in his leadership capacity at NSB. The Bank was also recognized for their deep corporate commitment to PRF.
Kevin and NSB have been steadfast and generous supporters of PRF for over 20 years, including sponsoring every local special PRF event. Under Kevin’s leadership, NSB has supported over 200 charities in 2023 alone, plus employee volunteering at dozens of others. NSB truly embraces a deep-rooted culture of giving their time, talent and treasure, giving back to the local communities in which they operate, and we especially thank them for their dedication to the Progeria community around the world.
Robyn and Tom Milbury receive 2022 Amy Award!
In 2022 the Amy Award was given to its first couple: Robyn and Tom. They have been involved with PRF for 25 years and have tirelessly and selflessly devoted their time, talent and treasure to advancing our mission. Between the two, they have helped organize 9 galas, 3 golf tournaments, a dozen races, and many other highly successful events over the years – WOW! They are now inspiring the next generation of Milburys to join them in their never-ending generosity, devotion and love for these extraordinary children.
Jodi Mitchell is our 2018 Amy Award recipient!
Jodi has been involved with PRF since 2004 when she ran in one of our first road races. After that, she was hooked. Since then, she’s organized a dozen fundraisers at Champions Pub and elsewhere, gotten the biggest team together to run our annual Race for Research, run the Falmouth Road Race on TEAM PRF, volunteers regularly at our office, and basically says to us, “what can I do to help?”. Everything Jodi does for PRF is done with enthusiasm, kindness, and love which makes her the perfect choice for this year’s award.
Bob Morrison – Supporting PRF Since Day 1 – is our 2016 Amy Award winner!
Bob was a founding board member (serving on PRF’s Board of Directors from 1999-2007). He brought a savvy business outlook to the board, giving PRF the benefit of his expertise. One of his last votes as a board member was whether or not to fund the first clinical drug trial – an historic and defining moment for PRF because the trial was a big step forward in our mission, but we didn’t have the money to fully fund it at the time. There was a short moment of silence after the presentation on the trial, while we waited for someone to make a motion and Bob said “Well, isn’t this what we’re here for? We’ve got to make this trial happen.” The vote immediately followed, and it was unanimous. Bob continues to make himself available to give advice on a variety of business matters, and is extremely proud to support PRF, humbly adding that he’s glad to “play a small part” in it. For his never-ending generosity, compassion and modesty, he received the 2016 Amy Award.
Kevin King – the 2013 winner – Drives the Support for Children with Progeria
Since 2005, Kevin and his team at YearOne, together with Amy’s brother Chip Foose, have supported PRF through an annual “Braselton Bash” car show in Georgia. The entire staff works tirelessly to ensure a successful weekend. They all happily volunteer their time. This kind of attitude comes from the top – from Kevin – who is totally committed to helping children with Progeria as much as he and YearOne possibly can. It is a true labor of love, and he feels as honored to be able to help as we feel to have him on our team. Kevin exemplifies the kind of tireless dedication that will surely drive the cure for Progeria.
Maura Smith is the 2011 Amy Award winner
The ultimate volunteer, Maura has been an integral part of every Night of Wonder committee, chaired PRF’s Texas Hold ‘Em events, and assists with events and office work whenever needed. But she doesn’t stop there: Maura has recruited her entire family and dozens of friends to support children with Progeria as well. Her pleasant personality and kind disposition made her the perfect choice for this year!
Announcing Debbie Ponn as our 2009 Amy Award winner!
Debbie first became involved with PRF when she came to Night of Wonder (NOW) 2003 as the guest of long-time supporters Robyn and Tom Milbury. At the end of the night, she approached PRF’s director Audrey Gordon and said, “If you ever need help with anything, please call me”. Little did either of them know how much that offer would affect the lives of children with Progeria. Since that time Debbie co-chaired NOWs 2005, 2007 and 2011, co-organized the Chicago event in June 2009, and continues to help PRF in many other ways. She is ALWAYS there to help, as Amy was for her friends and family.
Congratulations to Julie Pritchard, the 2007 Amy Award winner!
Julie is a graphic designer who has been volunteering tirelessly for PRF since its inception in 1998. She created PRF’s brochures, posters, t-shirts and many other pieces that allow us to reach out and deliver our message.
“The thing I find most fascinating about Julie”, says Leslie Gordon, who presented the award at Night of Wonder 2007, “is that, from the first 1000 times that she said ‘Oh, can I do that for you?’, her philanthropy has truly been a labor of love. She feels as honored to be able to help as we feel to have her on our team. Julie, you are what Amy exemplified – love, courage, and the kind of tireless dedication that will surely drive the cure for Progeria.”
2005: Chip Foose and Kim Paratore receive our first Amy Award
PRF and The Night of Wonder 2005 Committee presented the first Amy Award to our honored guest, Chip Foose, Amy’s brother. Chip is fast becoming not only internationally recognized in the auto world, but also spokesman for PRF, engaging the producer of his show “Overhaulin’” and many others to support PRF.
Chip says, “People constantly ask me how I keep going with so little rest and stay so positive. I answer them by saying, ‘I watched my sister Amy go and go and go without ever hearing a single complaint. She is my constant inspiration and strength.’”
Also given the Amy Award at the 2005 Night of Wonder was Kim Paratore, now a member of PRF’s Board of Directors. Kim has been involved as a PRF volunteer since its inception, having chaired the first three Night of Wonder galas, and numerous other PRF fundraising events.
Winners are chosen by a committee comprised of Amy’s mother Terry Foose, PRF’s Executive Director and Medical Director, and past awardees. They are announced at PRF’s Night of Wonder Gala, held every 2 years.