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00:00Samy Basso, a model of resilience and inspiration.
00:11Samy Basso was an Italian young man who became a global symbol of resilience, optimism and
00:17hope.
00:18Born on December 1, 1995 in Chio, Italy, Samy was affected by Progeria, an extremely rare
00:25genetic disease that accelerates cell aging.
00:28This disease, also called Hutchinson-Gilford syndrome, affects about 1 in 20 million people
00:34and causes premature aging in children.
00:37Throughout his life, Samy transcended the physical limits imposed by this disease, he
00:42had become a public figure in Italy and around the world, inspiring thousands of people.
00:48A childhood marked by Progeria Progeria begins to manifest in the early
00:54years of a child's life.
00:56For Samy, his parents, Laura and Amrigo, noticed the first signs when he was about
01:012 years old.
01:02At this age, he began to lose his hair and his growth seemed to slow down.
01:07After many consultations and exams, the diagnosis failed, Samy was affected by Progeria.
01:13Despite this new upheaval, Samy has always been supported by a loving family who
01:19encouraged him to live a life as normal as possible.
01:22His parents had decided not to overprotect Samy, but rather to give him the opportunity
01:27to face the disease, while developing his passions and living fully.
01:31This choice was decisive in the way Samy approached the challenges throughout his life.
01:41Samy has always had a playful and optimistic temperament.
01:44Very young, he understood that the disease he was affected with was rare and unknown.
01:49With the help of his parents, he began to raise awareness among the public about Progeria.
01:53From his adolescence, he appeared in television shows, documentaries and gave
01:59lectures to talk about his condition and the challenges it poses, while emphasizing
02:04the importance of scientific research.
02:06One of his most striking appearances was in a documentary entitled
02:11The Journey of Samy, broadcast on Italian television.
02:15In this documentary, he undertakes a road trip to the United States, where he meets
02:19scientists, doctors and other young people affected by Progeria.
02:23This trip was both a personal adventure and a way to raise awareness among the public
02:28about this disease.
02:33Samy has always been fascinated by science, and despite the physical limitations imposed
02:37by Progeria, he never gave up his academic dreams.
02:41After finishing his high school studies, he enrolled at the University of Padua, where
02:46he studied molecular biology.
02:49It was a dream for him to understand the biological mechanisms at work in his own
02:53body, and this quest for knowledge led him to become one of the most eloquent young
02:58ambassadors of scientific research on Progeria.
03:02In 2018, Samy received his diploma in molecular biology with honor.
03:07This was an emotional moment, not only for Samy, but also for all those who followed
03:12him and supported him over the years.
03:14Through this accomplishment, he proved that, even faced with apparently insurmountable
03:18obstacles, passion and determination could open up suspicious paths.
03:28One of Samy's great missions was to promote scientific research on Progeria.
03:33In 2005, his parents and he created an association aimed at raising awareness among the public
03:39about the disease, and to raise funds for research.
03:42Thanks to his media influence and his natural charisma, Samy managed to mobilize funds
03:47to support researchers working on potential treatments.
03:53In several of his interviews, Samy talked about his encounter with researchers in the
03:57United States, where he participated in clinical trials for new treatments aimed at slowing
04:02down the effects of Progeria.
04:04Although the disease is still not a definitive cure, the advances in this field have allowed
04:08to improve the hope and quality of life of children affected, and Samy has played a
04:13key role in this progress.
04:19Over the years, Samy Basso has become an emblematic figure, not only in Italy, but
04:24internationally.
04:26With his contagious smile, his lively spirit and his wisdom well beyond his age, he has
04:30touched the hearts of many people.
04:32His TV interventions, his conferences and his public appearances have always been marked
04:38by a message of hope, positivity and acceptance.
04:41In 2019, he was invited to speak at the Vatican during a symposium on rare diseases, where
04:49he had the opportunity to meet Pope Francis.
04:52This event highlighted how Samy had become an ambassador for people living with rare
04:58diseases and a passionate defender of scientific research.
05:05Despite the constant challenges imposed by Progeria, Samy Basso never let his disease
05:10define who he is.
05:12He embodies the spirit of perseverance, and his story continues to inspire millions of
05:16people around the world.
05:18Every day, he chose to live his life fully, pursuing his dreams, sharing his knowledge
05:24and making others aware of the importance of research and solidarity.
05:28Until the end of his life, Samy continued to take action in favor of research and to
05:34raise awareness of Progeria.
05:36His life was a constant reminder that, whatever the circumstances, determination, passion
05:42and love can overcome the most difficult obstacles.
05:45Samy Basso was much more than a young man with a rare disease.
05:50He was a source of light for everyone around him.
05:53Through his courage, his intelligence and his generosity, Samy transformed his personal
05:58journey into a collective movement, touching hearts and encouraging scientific progress.
06:07Progeria is a silent reminder of the fragility of life, but also of the incredible strength
06:12of those who, despite the accelerated time, choose to live with courage and light.
06:18Samy Basso died on October 5, 2024, at the age of 28.
06:23He was a young man with a rare disease.
06:26He was a silent reminder of the fragility of life, but also of the incredible strength
06:30of those who, despite the accelerated time, choose to live with courage and light.