January 28, 2026, by Hilary Jenison and Sarah MacAvery (courtesy photo)
When a Hingham family is in need, this town shows up. That is exactly what is happening now for the Vatrano family.
Through an extraordinary network of family, friends, and the Hingham hockey community, the Vatranos have reached 75 percent of their initial fundraising goal as Sam Vatrano continues his courageous fight against glioblastoma, a type of brain cancer with which he was diagnosed in 2021. However, recent developments have made it clear that broader community support is now needed to help raise additional critical funds to support his fight.
Sam, a Hingham father of three, loving husband and a dedicated member of Hingham’s youth hockey community, has endured multiple surgeries, hospital stays, chemotherapy, and radiation over the past four years. Through it all, he has remained a constant presence for his family and for the many young athletes he has mentored, never losing his trademark sense of humor. The entire family is facing this fight with grace, faith, strength, and love at the center.
For the last four years, Sam has received extraordinary care from Dr. Reardon and his team at Dana-Farber. However, recent scans have led his medical team to explore innovative therapies that have shown promise for hard-to-treat tumors like glioblastoma, which are resistant to standard treatments.
The funds raised by the community have allowed Sam and his wife, Lauren, to work with doctors in Germany and New York to access integrative cancer therapies—specifically immune-based treatments designed to strengthen his body’s ability to identify and target cancer cells.
The initial goal of the fundraiser is to support his first rounds of treatment, along with related travel expenses, while also providing practical support for the care, comfort, and stability of Sam, Lauren, and their children, Sawyer, Brooks, and Hayes, all students in Hingham Public Schools.
Throughout this journey, the Vatrano family has expressed deep gratitude for the support of the Hingham school community, friends, and neighbors who have helped provide their children with a sense of normalcy during an incredibly difficult time. They are humbled by the generosity of both those they know and many they have never met.
Hingham has already demonstrated what makes this community special. Now, as the Vatranos face this new chapter in Sam’s fight, they are asking for continued prayers, strength, and, if possible, financial support.
Every dollar helps. Every show of support reminds this family that they are not alone.
To learn more or to contribute to Sam’s fundraiser, visit:
https://givebutter.com/samvatrano