Sammy Bassowho passed away last October 6, and his family have been nominated “Italians of the Year 2024” from Christian familyan award that celebrates their extraordinary testimony of family unity, as well as the positive impact Sammy has left on society.
The director Stefano Stimamiglio and the co-director Luciano Regolo justified the choice by describing Sammy as a “very current prophet in this time of disorientation” and celebrating his extraordinary humanity and positive impact on society.
As for his parents, they represent the demonstration of how love really can change the world. The award given to the Basso family underlines a universal message: what matters is to face them with courage and with your loved ones at your side.
Sammy, a young biologist, has in fact entered the hearts of many people thanks to his contagious enthusiasm and to his love for life. Despite progeria, a rare genetic disease that causes accelerated aging, Sammy lived with fullness and awareness, dedicating his studies to scientific research with the desire to help other children suffering from the same pathology.
Parents: “We miss the cuddles, the hugs, his eyes”
For the occasion, the parents, Laura and Amerigo, shared their thoughts in a touching interview, underlining the fundamental role that Sammy had in their lives. When he was diagnosed with progeria, the news it was a hard blow for the family.
However a change of perspective has transformed their way of lifeleading them to never take anything for granted:
One day we looked at each other and realized we were doing everything wrong. Sammy he had to live as normal a life as possible. He had a heart to rejoice, a remarkable sense of humor. Everyone laughed a lot with him. He knew how to make fun of his image. He always said: ‘In the end we are all different and for this reason we are all the same’.
Sammy always carried with him the Tau symbol, inspired by Saint Francis, a figure that reflected his profound respect for life. This same respect guided him in his studies in Natural Sciences and Molecular Biology, a choice motivated by the desire to understand your illness better and to help other children with progeria. As the family remembers:
he knew it wasn’t for him because there was no more time, but he wanted to do research for help the children of today and tomorrow.
There wedding ring it was a fundamental pillar for Sammy, who faced his fears with prayer, putting everything in the hands of God. The meeting with Pope Francis was a mystical experience for Sammy, who asked for a blessing to share with friends, relatives and other patients with progeria.
Today, Laura and Amerigo remember with emotion Sammy’s energy and vitality:
We miss the cuddles, the hugs, his eyes. He talked a lot about everything, there was always dialogue. He called us a great team.
