Sammy Basso died after malaise occurred in a restaurant in Trevignano. He was 28 years old. From Sanremo to the University, the young man from Vicenza made known his rare disease, Progeria, which causes premature aging without altering the mind. The news was spread on social media by the team of the Italian Progeria Association (AIPro.Sa.B.) that Sammy founded in 2005 to raise awareness of his disease and promote research into it.
Progeria: what it is, symptoms, when it is discovered, treatments and mortality. What we know about this very rare genetic disease
Le Prix Paolo Rizzi
The writer and activist Sammy Basso received the Paolo Rizzi Prize on Friday October 4 in the Society category, alongside the vice-director of Corriere della Sera Federico Fubini and the writer Melania Mazzucco for the Culture section. The Paolo Rizzi Prize, sponsored by the Order of Journalists of Veneto, by Gazzettino, the City of Venice and the Region of Veneto, was established in 2010 to honor the historic signature of the Venetian daily. The awards ceremony took place in the Great Hall of San Rocco. The representative of the City of Venice was assessor Michele Zuin.
Who was he
Born in Schio on December 1, 1995, he graduated with first class honors in Natural Sciences with a specialization in Molecular Biology at the University of Padua in July 2018, presenting a thesis on the existence of therapies to slow down the progression of his illness. To raise his profile, he documented his trip to the United States along Route 66, writing a book called Sammy’s Journey and recording a series of episodes for Sky’s Nat Geo People channel. The Italian Progeria Association team wrote on social media: “Today our light, our guide, went out. Thank you Sammy for sharing this wonderful life with us. We unite with family and friends in respect for the pain in this delicate moment of mourning.” Sammy Basso died on Saturday October 5. He returned a few days ago from a trip to China.
The family
Sammy lived with his family in Tezze sul Brenta. Despite his illness, after obtaining his scientific baccalaureate at the St. “J. Da Ponte” Scientific High School in Bassano del Grappa, he enrolled in the physics course at the University of Padua for the 2014-2015 academic year, then changed to the natural sciences course. His dream, once he finished his studies, was to work at CERN in Geneva. A year later, he also enrolled in the Faculty of Natural Sciences with the intention of continuing his research on progeria after completing his studies. On March 23, 2021, he obtained his master’s degree in molecular biology at the University of Padua. On June 7, 2019, he received the insignia of Knight of the Order of Merit of the Republic, awarded in his own right by the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella.
Locatelli: “An example of strength and hope”
“An affectionate and moving thought for Sammy Basso, who left us at only 28 years old. Through his courage and determination, he brought progeria to the world, becoming an example of strength and hope. His commitment to research and his testimony will forever remain a precious heritage for us all.” This is what Minister for Disabled People Alessandra Locatelli wrote on Facebook.
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