Carlo Urbani, an Italian doctor and microbiologist, made history as the first person to identify and classify Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) or atypical pneumonia during its outbreak between 2002 and 2003. Tragically, he succumbed to the same disease on March 29th, 2003, while working in Bangkok. Two decades later, this book aims to not only recount the story of the “SARS doctor” to younger generations who may only be familiar with his name through schools or streets named after him but also to introduce readers to the man behind the remarkable achievement. Carlo Urbani’s legacy lives on through the continued efforts of his friends, colleagues, and acquaintances who have carried on his work and the protocol he established. This protocol has proven vital in saving countless lives in today’s world, which has been deeply affected by the COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Despite his untimely death, Carlo’s contributions to medicine and public health continue to inspire and benefit people all over the world.

Twenty years after his death, Dr. Carlo Urbani is not just the symbol of the fight against SARS. Urbani is the testimony of how courage and dedication, even at the cost of one’s life, can become an example for everyone. A brave doctor, discoverer, and a victim himself of the “severe acute respiratory syndrome.” His death represented a serious loss for the scientific community, but his work, his discoveries, and his international treatment protocol, not only have saved thousands of patients, but have continued to inspire research and development of vaccines for many diseases. A symbol of self-sacrifice and scientific rigour recognised by the medical community, whose protocol was the inspiration in dealing with the coronavirus pandemic. His legacy, like his altruism, remain vivid in our memory.

—Sergio Mattarella, President of Italy

Dr. Carlo Urbani practiced the teachings of Lord Jesus Christ “to love God and love your neighbor,” which made himself a legend of a devout Christian. He further inspired many to serve those who were suffering from illness, poverty, grief, and hunger. This chain of love confirms the gospel of John: “Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will preserve it for eternal life.” (John 12:24–25)

—Dr. Chen Chien-Jen (陳建仁), President of the Executive Yuan of Taiwan

Vincenzo Varagona, journalist since 1982, collaborates with the Italian daily newspaper Avvenire and weekly magazine Famiglia Cristiana. From 1987 to 2022 he worked in the editorial staff of TGR Rai. He has made reports on the Balkan wars, on the Middle East and on Africa. His latest titles published with Paoline is Frate Mago. Annunciare il Vangelo con gioia (2019). Since 2021 he has been the national president of the UCSI (Italian Catholic Union Press).

Translator

Juang Tian Ruei

Born in 1995 in Clusone, Italy. He attended the Sir James Henderson British School of Milan and was admitted to the Conservatory Giuseppe Verdi of Milan, specialising in classical piano, where he competed in several musical competitions during his studies. He is enrolled in the MA course in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) at Tunghai University in Taichung, Taiwan. His previous translation works include the book Doctor Without Borders—Portrait of Carlo Urbani (2018) by Lucia Bellaspiga.

Preface

Presentation

Introduction

Acknowledgments

Chronology

Part 1. Sicily, Castelplanio, and the World

Part 2. Growth, Studies, Friends, and Commitment

Part 3. From Adventure to Work

Part 4. Missions Abroad

Part 5. Twenty Years of Aicu

Part 6. Carlo’s Legacy