Sam, the youngest of 4 children, thundered through life with energy and enthusiasm, leaving an impression wherever he went. In the fall of 2015, Sam was 8 years old and in second grade when he began to complain of extreme backaches. Several visits to the doctor and x-rays yielded no results. Finally, the pain was almost unbearable, so Sam’s mom took him to the local ER, where blood tests revealed leukemia. Sam was immediately taken to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, arriving 2 days before Christmas. He would spend almost 2 months in Memphis before his first visit back home. During that time, further testing revealed that Sam’s cancer was acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), the most common of childhood cancers. However, his leukemia cells carried the Philadelphia Chromosome-positive (Ph+) mutation, common in adult ALL but rare in children. This meant his leukemia would be harder to treat, require a very high-risk protocol, and have a lower survival rate. Sam endured 9 months of treatment, never complaining. Ultimately, that treatment led to multiple organ failure, and Sam ran ahead to Heaven on September 30, 2016. He was 9 years old.

Sam loved and cared for others and always told others about Jesus. He spent his time playing superheroes and often could be found running in a cape and mask! He collected and traded football cards, played with Legos and ninja turtles, enjoyed hiking and playing in the woods, and loved being with family and friends.

Sam was very courageous with steadfast faith and wisdom beyond his 9 years. He memorized and recited his “battle verse” Isaiah 41:10. He took the words of that verse to heart and even during the fight of his life, he pointed others to Jesus.

The earth is not as bright without Sam in it! The Isaiah 41:10 Foundation hopes to carry on Sam’s passion for Christ while providing encouragement to other families and funding research for a cure.