The 25-Year-Old Who's Ageing Too Fast | BORN DIFFERENT

Apr 15 2021

Condition Big Support Born different Life Venice Italy

A SCIENTIST with a rare premature ageing condition has devoted his life to finding a cure for others with the disorder. Sammy Basso, 25, from Venice, Italy, has Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS) and is one of only 179 known cases in the world. Sammy’s condition means he is just 4ft 6" (1.38m) tall and weighs only 44lbs (20kg). Determined not to be a victim of his condition, Sammy became a molecular biologist and wrote his graduate thesis on progeria. He is also the founder of the Italian Association of Progeria Sammy Basso, a non-profit which provides information about progeria and supports scientific research into the condition. Sammy is also passionate about staying active, and has a special wheelchair he can sit in while the Sammy Runners - amateur runners from the local running club - take him for a ride, with the group targeting the Milan Marathon as their next big run.