'The more lives I save, the more value and meaning my life gains'. This sentence sums up the work and philosophy of Alessandro Frigiola, a world luminary in paediatric cardiac surgery who spent his whole life giving hope to so many children.
Dr Frigiola was a pioneer in paediatric cardiac surgery. His studies and tireless work were fundamental at a time when congenital heart disease were considered inoperable, bringing the mortality rate from 70% , in the 70’, to today’s 4%.
Unfortunately, not all of us have the good fortune to be born on the lucky side of this planet, so throughout his entire career this eminent physician never lost sight of the goal of redressing this injustice by also engaging in tireless philanthropy.
Thanks to his incredible charisma he’s been able to create an important group of people who, over a period of thirty years, gave their unconditional support by helping him to carry out an incredible humanitarian activity in favour of underprivileged countries with four hospital buildings, intensive care facilities renovated and built, scholarships to young students, over 20,000 lives saved.
We’ll sail through the memories of more than 400 missions with extraordinary footage of the of the surgeries as well as touching testimonies of colleagues, friends and patients who, all together, will recount the extraordinary nature of this man and doctor.
Today at the age of 80, this tireless doctor leads a new and innovative project that focuses on the training of young heart surgeons in emerging countries. There is nothing more beautiful than seeing a mother's smile and relief when a child is restored to life. Alessandro Frigiola has undoubtedly a great talent in his hands but, as he himself says, he is only a tool in God's hands.