In January of 2004, Sam had been sick for a few weeks with fatigue, nausea, bone aches, mild fevers. His parents thought he had the flu, which was going around and lots of kids had it. Sam’s pediatrician ordered blood tests, and then appeared at the family’s house that evening to deliver the unbelievable news: that Sam probably had leukemia. Sam’s pediatrician told the family to head to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), where one of the oncologists would be waiting in the emergency room. The oncologist confirmed the leukemia, and chemotherapy began the next day. Sam was a freshman in high school, missed about 4 months of school, was hospitalized at CHOP 5 times in the first year, and was done with treatment in May of 2007, a month before his high school graduation.  

Alex Scott was in the room next to Sam in the new oncology unit during one of his 2004 hospitalizations, and his family chatted briefly with Alex and her dad Jay while there. Jay was very encouraging about the progress they have been making in treating ALL, the type of leukemia Sam had.

When Sam was done with treatment, his family had a big "End of Chemo" party, which we used as a fundraiser, raising thousands of dollars for the CHOP Foundation. Sam graduated from Tufts University in 2011.  After working for a few years as a research assistant at Children's Hospital in Boston, Sam has now begun school in Boston to become a doctor of physical therapy.  He enjoys playing soccer, mountain climbing, ultimate frisbee and cycling. He has participated in numerous events like Light the Night for the Leukemia Lymphoma Society, Relay for Life for the ACS (he was the featured speaker at the Relay event at his college one year, and chaired the event his junior and senior years), has staffed a number of lemonade stands, and he tries to always LiveStrong! Sam’s family also took Sam's Make-A-Wish trip to the Galapagos Islands in May of 2009.

Quote: “We are all thankful for the work that Alex did, and that the foundation continues to do. We know how much all childhood cancer patients owe to those who went before them, and we are thankful every day for the money being raised for research and treatment. Thank you to everyone for continuing to do the great work of Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation.”- Sam's Father Doug

Information provided by Doug Johnson
Last update: July 2015