Sammy Basso
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Sammy Basso (1995 – 5 October 2024) was Italian biologist and patient of progeria disease and one of the oldest known survivors of the disease. He leveraged his unusual appearance, a result of his terminal illness, to great social and emotional advantage, while lending an optimistic face to campaign for an extremely rare, life-threatening and terminal genetic disease.[1] Progeria sufferers usually die in their early teens. Bosso also took part in clinical trials that he carried out research for.[1]
Early life and education
[edit]Basso was born in 1995 in Schio, Italy, and grew up in Tezze sul Brenta, a small town near Venice. At the age of 2, he was diagnosed with progeria, also known as Hutchinson-Gilford syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that accelerates aging. In the world a mere 130 cases of progeria have been recognized.[1] Since the age of 5 he was a friend of Sam Berns, a person with the same condition. Despite the challenges, his family encouraged him to attend school and participate in everyday activities. He earned a master’s degree in molecular biology, contributing to significant research efforts aimed at understanding and treating the disease.[1]
Death and legacy
[edit]In the day before his death, he was actively communicating. He collapsed and died due to suspected cardiovascular complications, on 5 October 2024, at the age of 28.[1]
Francis Collins, Basso's senior research colleague and companion said: "We all knew that Sammy had a terrible circumstance that was not going to allow him to live a full life. But he was so vibrant. He was so alive. He was so engaged, I was so stunned". On a personal level, Basso called Progeria "a small part of my life, because it only affects the body".[1]