DIEHARD
Custodian
Donations to Sam’s family can be made at https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-to-send-off-sam-johnson.
Heartbroken family pay tribute to ‘fierce protector’ and Titans fan Sam Johnson
A teenage Titans superfan’s seven-month battle in intensive care has reached its devastating conclusion as his heartbroken family prepares for final goodbyes.
After battling in intensive care for seven months – the length of an entire NRL season – Coomera 13-year-old Sam Johnson’s life support is expected to be turned off on Tuesday, leaving his family to savour their final, precious hours by his side.
Sam’s father, Scott Boole, alongside his mother Narelle Johnson, sister Kelsey Johnson and brothers Corey Boole and Aaron Mayo crowded around his bed at Queensland Children’s Hospital, Brisbane, on Monday.
Other siblings Christopher Boole and Chloe Boole were “heartbroken” not to be present.
After Sam defied medical expectations to survive past Easter, a combination of severe organ failures finally took its toll.
Mr Boole said his son’s body had fought until it had nothing left to give.
“The DRESS syndrome stripped the lining of his bowel and deteriorated his stomach,” Mr Boole said.
“Now the kidneys have shut down and the liver is starting to deteriorate.
“You’ve got to come to a point where enough’s enough for the body … the last thing we ever want to see is our boy suffer.
“He fought for seven months, but we have to face reality.”
Sam’s room was a dedicated shrine to the Gold Coast Titans, filled with flags, banners and a framed jersey.
Before falling ill, the cheeky 13-year-old was renowned for being a loud voice in the stands, chirping at the referees and screaming about missed ruck infringements.
His unwavering passion sparked a profound response.
Following an exchange of video messages from several Titans players, Phil Sami, Jayden Campbell, Jojo Fifita and Jaylan de Groot drove to Brisbane on their day off.
Wearing casual clothes, they spent nearly two hours sitting with the family, joking, laughing and showing the human side of the NRL.
Sami said: “I found out about Sam through my brother’s partner and read an article about how big of a Titans fan he is, and saw I was one of his heroes alongside Moe and JC.
“You look at families like them, it puts perspective into your life and you feel sad for them and how cruel life can be.
“If me and a couple of boys can go pay a visit to Sam and their families and bring a bit of joy through the dark times they’re going through, it’s the least we can do.
“We wish Sam and his family all the best and they definitely have support from the Titans family.”
Mr Boole said the gesture transformed his entire family, even converting him from a lifelong Newcastle Knights fan to a Titan.
“They come off just as normal people and it was so refreshing,” Mr Boole said.
“They are decent human beings who understand the hurt and pain people go through.”
Coach Josh Hannay said the team “won’t forget” an image of Sam.
“A video surfaced of Sam wrapped in his Titans blanket and surrounded by his family head-to-toe in Titans gear ready to support their beloved Titans,” Hannay said.
“We know how much the Titans mean to Sam and his family and his courage will continue to inspire us.
“He will remain in our hearts.”
Despite being the “smallest kid” at Pimpama State Secondary College, the Eminem enthusiast was known as a fierce protector of the underdog.
School friends flooded the ward with letters, including one from a girl who revealed Sam protected her from bullies.
“He was a magnet to people,” Mr Boole said.
Even in the darkest hours, the family held onto Sam’s sharp wit.
“My wife [Narelle] is worried about her hair. And [one time] she decided she was going to cut a fringe. When she cut it, it was a bit crooked. Sam come up to her after she’d done it. He looked at her. He flicked her fringe and said, ‘Ruck infringement’.
“We all tell her, ‘Ruck infringement’, and that puts a smile on her face every day.”
The family was preparing for a Titans-themed funeral on June 12 at Allambe Memorial Park and hoped to one day scatter some of Sam’s ashes on the club’s home field.
Without Sam’s booming voice from the stands, the NRL’s referees should get some reprieve.
The Brisbane Broncos might even get let off the hook a few times in the M1 derby on June 6.
But when the family eventually returns to home games with ‘Sam 13’ printed on their backs, Mr Boole was sure that every time a referee blows the whistle for a real ruck infringement, they will hear Sam’s vocal spirit cheering right alongside them.
Until then, Sam’s father had a final plea for the Coast community.
“Love your kids, hold them tight.
“Every time you leave your house or talk on the phone, say ‘I love you, Mum,’ or ‘I love you, Dad.’
“Spoil your kids, because you don’t know what’s around the corner. Enjoy life and make memories.”
Donations to Sam’s family can be made at https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-to-send-off-sam-johnson.
Heartbroken family pay tribute to ‘fierce protector’ and Titans fan Sam Johnson
A teenage Titans superfan’s seven-month battle in intensive care has reached its devastating conclusion as his heartbroken family prepares for final goodbyes.
After battling in intensive care for seven months – the length of an entire NRL season – Coomera 13-year-old Sam Johnson’s life support is expected to be turned off on Tuesday, leaving his family to savour their final, precious hours by his side.
Sam’s father, Scott Boole, alongside his mother Narelle Johnson, sister Kelsey Johnson and brothers Corey Boole and Aaron Mayo crowded around his bed at Queensland Children’s Hospital, Brisbane, on Monday.
Other siblings Christopher Boole and Chloe Boole were “heartbroken” not to be present.
After Sam defied medical expectations to survive past Easter, a combination of severe organ failures finally took its toll.
Mr Boole said his son’s body had fought until it had nothing left to give.
“The DRESS syndrome stripped the lining of his bowel and deteriorated his stomach,” Mr Boole said.
“Now the kidneys have shut down and the liver is starting to deteriorate.
“You’ve got to come to a point where enough’s enough for the body … the last thing we ever want to see is our boy suffer.
“He fought for seven months, but we have to face reality.”
Sam’s room was a dedicated shrine to the Gold Coast Titans, filled with flags, banners and a framed jersey.
Before falling ill, the cheeky 13-year-old was renowned for being a loud voice in the stands, chirping at the referees and screaming about missed ruck infringements.
His unwavering passion sparked a profound response.
Following an exchange of video messages from several Titans players, Phil Sami, Jayden Campbell, Jojo Fifita and Jaylan de Groot drove to Brisbane on their day off.
Wearing casual clothes, they spent nearly two hours sitting with the family, joking, laughing and showing the human side of the NRL.
Sami said: “I found out about Sam through my brother’s partner and read an article about how big of a Titans fan he is, and saw I was one of his heroes alongside Moe and JC.
“You look at families like them, it puts perspective into your life and you feel sad for them and how cruel life can be.
“If me and a couple of boys can go pay a visit to Sam and their families and bring a bit of joy through the dark times they’re going through, it’s the least we can do.
“We wish Sam and his family all the best and they definitely have support from the Titans family.”
Mr Boole said the gesture transformed his entire family, even converting him from a lifelong Newcastle Knights fan to a Titan.
“They come off just as normal people and it was so refreshing,” Mr Boole said.
“They are decent human beings who understand the hurt and pain people go through.”
Coach Josh Hannay said the team “won’t forget” an image of Sam.
“A video surfaced of Sam wrapped in his Titans blanket and surrounded by his family head-to-toe in Titans gear ready to support their beloved Titans,” Hannay said.
“We know how much the Titans mean to Sam and his family and his courage will continue to inspire us.
“He will remain in our hearts.”
Despite being the “smallest kid” at Pimpama State Secondary College, the Eminem enthusiast was known as a fierce protector of the underdog.
School friends flooded the ward with letters, including one from a girl who revealed Sam protected her from bullies.
“He was a magnet to people,” Mr Boole said.
Even in the darkest hours, the family held onto Sam’s sharp wit.
“My wife [Narelle] is worried about her hair. And [one time] she decided she was going to cut a fringe. When she cut it, it was a bit crooked. Sam come up to her after she’d done it. He looked at her. He flicked her fringe and said, ‘Ruck infringement’.
“We all tell her, ‘Ruck infringement’, and that puts a smile on her face every day.”
The family was preparing for a Titans-themed funeral on June 12 at Allambe Memorial Park and hoped to one day scatter some of Sam’s ashes on the club’s home field.
Without Sam’s booming voice from the stands, the NRL’s referees should get some reprieve.
The Brisbane Broncos might even get let off the hook a few times in the M1 derby on June 6.
But when the family eventually returns to home games with ‘Sam 13’ printed on their backs, Mr Boole was sure that every time a referee blows the whistle for a real ruck infringement, they will hear Sam’s vocal spirit cheering right alongside them.
Until then, Sam’s father had a final plea for the Coast community.
“Love your kids, hold them tight.
“Every time you leave your house or talk on the phone, say ‘I love you, Mum,’ or ‘I love you, Dad.’
“Spoil your kids, because you don’t know what’s around the corner. Enjoy life and make memories.”
Donations to Sam’s family can be made at https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-to-send-off-sam-johnson.
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