Pierre Jacomet, (1943-2009) Philosopher, Musician, and Advocate

by Gloria Valdés, MD, Santiago, Chile

It is with sadness that I communicate the death of Pierre Jacomet on the 28 of August, of a cause unrelated to VHL. He was 76 years old.  As you well know he was instrumental in creating awareness of VHL and pheocromocytomas in Chile. As a consequence of his efforts we associated with him as a referal center for VHL patients, and through many years we received patients and families referred by him. During this time we came to appreciate his personal interest in the course of each patient, and the compassionate support he gave them. His life is an example of dedication to a cause that he understood from within.

It is interesting to note that in Chile he is very much appreciated as television personality, an expert in literature, and that his book “Travels through my library” has enticed many people to read his preferred authors. His knowledge of literature and languages was so extensive in part as a consequence of the hyperactivity caused by the tumoral production of catecholamines; thus he was able to turn his disease into a “blessing in disguise”.

Wishing that the contact between the VHL Alliance and the Catholic University created by him will continue, I remain sincerely yours,

Dr. Gloria Valdés, Professor, Escuela de Medicina
Pontificia Universidad Católica, Santiago, Chile
Pierre created the first book about VHL in Spanish for doctors, and translated the VHL Handbook into Latin American Spanish for patients.  He was tireless in working with families in Chile, and provided assistance to others throughout Latin America.  He was an active moderator of the VHLFA online support group in Spanish.

See his story at http://www.vhl.org/newsletter/vhl1998/98blpier.php

As printed in the VHL Family Forum 17:3, October 2009. For permission to reprint, please contact VHL Family Alliance, editor@vhl.org. Further information is available from the VHL Family Alliance, info@vhl.org.