Courageous little Titans supporter Sam Martin, who our players honoured by wearing yellow armbands (Sam’s favourite color) in the spectacular comeback victory against the Canterbury Bulldogs in the last match of the season, has sadly passed away.
Sam, 8, from Coolum on the Sunshine Coast, died at home. He had an inoperable brain tumor.
His story touched the hearts of thousands around the world, including many of the Titans players.
Sam was diagnosed in July 2013 with stage three adult-type fibrosarcoma but after 13 rounds of chemotherapy and seven weeks of radiation therapy, the treatments had little effect on the tumour growing in his left cheek.
His parents Mark and Tanya Martin and sister Ella, 10, have been overwhelmed by the support shown from people worldwide including the Netherlands, Malaysia, Canada, London and Denmark.
Mark posted on the Facebook website to honour Sam: “It is with mixed feelings that I write this, immense sadness and extreme pride...
“Immense sadness in that Sam passed away peacefully at 19:47 last night at home with Tanya, Ella, Roxy and I by his side. Sam simply drifted off to sleep without any further pain, anguish or suffering which is a blessing given what the little guy has been through the last 14 months.
“Extreme pride in Sam, for enduring what he has with little to no complaint, for his ability in bringing together a community in such a positive manner, for being the greatest son a parent could wish for, for being that spark that ignited all those around him, for being just SAM.
“Extreme pride in our beautiful daughter Ella. Ella has been the unsung hero of this whole deal. In her own special way she has been the glue that has kept us all together, her ability to lift both Tanya and I when we've had our moments has been priceless. While Sam has attracted a fair amount of our space and time over the past year and a bit the world better look out for this one, she has a fire, a strength and a determination that is scary.
“Extreme pride in my wife Tanya. To this day her strength and beauty blows me away and I could not have asked for a better partner to have walked the path we have so far. While the path ahead is daunting and unknown together I know we will be fine.
“While Sam is no longer physically here rest assured this won't be the last you hear of our special little man.”
We send our heartfelt best wishes to the Martin family.
If you would like to post a message or follow Sam’s story, go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/samsjourney/
