Sammy Basso, a prominent advocate and the world’s longest-living survivor of the rare genetic disorder progeria, has died at the age of 28. Basso lived more than twice as long as the average life expectancy for those with the condition, typically just 13.5 years.
Basso became suddenly ill during a dinner with family and friends last weekend and was rushed to the hospital. Despite efforts to save him, he passed away that evening.
Born on December 1, 1995, in Tezze sul Brenta, Italy, Basso was diagnosed at age two with Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome. This rare disorder accelerates the aging process at an extraordinary rate. Affecting approximately 1 in 20 million people worldwide, the disease is often referred to as “Benjamin Button disease,” named after the character in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, portrayed by Brad Pitt, who ages rapidly from birth.
Though most people with progeria live only about 13, Basso defied the odds and became the world’s longest-living progeria patient, reaching 28 years old.
In 2005, Basso’s parents established the Italian Progeria Association to support others suffering from the same rare disease and appointed their son as an ambassador for the cause.
Basso also participated in various clinical trials for treatments for progeria and pursued a Ph.D. in gene therapy, making significant efforts to overcome the disease.
In 2019, he received the title of Knight of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic from Italian President Sergio Mattarella for his research paper on the potential to treat progeria through genetic engineering.
Reflecting on his passing, a representative from the Progeria Research Foundation said, “Sammy was the embodiment of kindness, warmth, resilience, and wisdom, serving the Progeria community with many years of outstanding dedication to scientific progress toward the cure for Progeria. ” The organization wrote in a Facebook post. “He will be forever missed.”
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