The death at the age of 28 of Sammy Basso, the founder in 2005 of the Italian Progeria Association, who himself suffered from the pathology that causes premature aging, provoked many reactions full of affection and gratitude. «An affectionate and touching thought for Sammy Basso, who left us at just 28 years old. Thanks to his courage and determination, he made progeria known to the world, becoming an example of strength and hope. His commitment to research and his testimony will forever remain a precious heritage for all of us”, writes the Minister for Disabilities Alessandra Locatelli on Facebook. «The pain of losing Sammy Basso is enormous. Sammy was a friend, a person with a heart of gold, a passionate scholar with unshakable determination who transformed his illness into a drive to work for awareness, dissemination and research, concretely supported also through the activity of his association. It was an honor to have met him”, declared the president of the Chamber of Deputies, Lorenzo Fontana.
The news of his death was spread by the association created to promote research against the disease, Hutchinson-Gilford syndrome. Born in Schio on 1 December 1995 Sammy Basso was a biologist, writer and activist. In 2018 he graduated with 110 cum laude in natural sciences with a focus on molecular biology at the University of Padua, presenting a thesis dedicated to the existence of therapies to slow down the progression of one’s pathology. «Today our light, our guide, went out. Thank you Sammy for letting us participate in this wonderful life” wrote the staff of the non-profit organization founded by Basso on social media. “We gather around family and friends in respect of the pain in this delicate moment of mourning.”
He was diagnosed with progeria at two years and a few months. With his parents he founded the Italian Progeria Association Sammy Basso, of which he has been a witness since the age of ten. In 2007 he joined the first study group of the PRF (Progeria Research Foundation) clinical trial with Lonafarnib.
Basso was known for the many television appearances and interviews he made to raise awareness of the association’s activity and the disease that had affected him. Italy met him after the broadcast of the National Geographic docu-film entitled “Sammy’s Journey”, which recounts his journey along Route 66, in the USA, from Chicago to Los Angeles, with his parents and one of his best friends, Riccardo. Graduated in Natural Sciences at the University of Padua, with a thesis aimed at demonstrating the possibility of treating progeria with genetic engineering, he underwent surgery to replace his aortic valve and was appointed Knight of the Order in 2019 to the Merit of the Italian Republic. In 2021 he specialized in Molecular Biology and then graduated from the University of Padua with a thesis on the correlation between Progeria and inflammation. Basso was the spokesperson for the association and also worked with the PRF as an International Ambassador.
Progeria is a rare generic disease that causes premature aging of the body but does not alter the mind. It causes diseases typical of the elderly and leads those affected to an early death. Those born with progeria typically have a life expectancy in their twenties. Basso, who was 28, reportedly died following an illness that struck him while he was having dinner with family and friends in a restaurant in the Treviso area. He suddenly felt ill, the 118 doctors tried to resuscitate him but there was nothing they could do.
#Sammy #Basso #progeria #premature #aging #Tempo
