Sammy Basso, the longest-living survivor of progeria, has passed away at 28. He inspired many with his journey and helped raise awareness about the disease.
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Sammy Basso, a brave young man who lived with a rare disease called progeria, has passed away at the age of 28. He was known as the longest-living survivor of this condition. The Italian Progeria Association shared the sad news on Sunday, October 6.
Progeria, also known as Hutchinson-Gilford syndrome, is a genetic disease that makes people age quickly. Because of this, children with progeria often look much older than they are. Sadly, without treatment, people with progeria usually live only until about 13.5 years old.
Sammy was born in 1995 in Schio, Italy, located in the northern region of Veneto. He was diagnosed with progeria when he was just two years old.
In all cases, Sammy's spirit shone brightly. In 2005, he and his parents created the Italian Progeria Association to help raise awareness about the disease and support others affected by it.
Sammy gained attention through a touching documentary called Sammy's Journey, produced by National Geographic. This film followed his amazing trip along Route 66 in the United States. He traveled from Chicago to Los Angeles with his parents and his close friend, Riccardo. This journey showed not only Sammy’s courage but also his love for life and adventure.
[Sammy Basso, known as the longest-living survivor of the rare genetic disease progeria, has passed away at the age of 28. (Photo: Basso's Instagram account]
The Italian Progeria Association expressed their grief on Instagram, saying, "Today our light, our guide, has gone out. Thank you, Sammy, for making us part of this wonderful life." They recognized how much he inspired others and how important his work was.
Currently, there are only about 130 known cases of classic progeria worldwide. Four of these cases are in Italy. However, the Italian Progeria Association believes there could be around 350 cases globally. Many cases might go undetected, especially in developing countries.
Sammy Basso will be remembered not just for his battle against progeria, but for the hope and light he brought to many. His story encourages people to keep fighting and to support one another, no matter the challenges they face. His legacy will continue to inspire and raise awareness about progeria and those who live with it.
