Dear fellows! The members of Zone 21B Public image team are pleased to inform you about the "My journey to EndPolio" initiative, whose goal is to support the global polio eradication. It is initiated by Bashar Asfour, member of Rotary club Tbilisi Ambassador, Distict 2452, who overcame the severe infection with a problem of paralysis of the legs since infancy.
To promote the global project of Rotary International under the motto "Together, We can EndPolio", Bashar started a journey through 16 European countries.
The electric Volkswagen ID.Buzz is provide by the sponsor VW/Austria.
MY JOURNEY TO ENDPOLIO PROJECT
The initiative aims to raise awareness and gather the necessary funds to fight Polio, the most important project of Rotary International. By highlighting the severe consequences of the disease with his personal story, he will point out the importance of vaccination and inspire many Europeans to make personal donations to support this No.1 Rotary project.
As Rotarian, Bashar Asfour has taken on the personal mission of eradicating polio on a global scale. His journey is an example of strong will and dedication to the cause. By the end of his Journey To EndPolio he will have traveled about 9,500 kilometers in 55 days, crossing 16 countries, and meeting with Rotarians from 30 Rotary Districts. Bashar Asfour will end his journey in Chemnitz, Germany on October 21st, where all German Rotarians will together celebrate together World Polio Day.
ABOUT BASHAR ASFOUR:
He got infected with Polio when he was just 10 months old. His prolonged treatment was marked by moments of unbearable pain and suffering and spent his youth in hospitals and medical institutions, battling the results of the severe infection, undergoing multiple surgeries, and being supported by his family throughout: “The removal of pins inserted were truly painful and I remember my tears were flowing continuously, not because of the pain but of the joy of being able to do the last phase in my recovery enabling me to walk even with a limp but with no crutches or using my hand to hold my knee while walking. Vaccination is extremely important and we never should take this mission for granted”, according to Bashar Asfour.
For over 35 years, Rotary International has spearheaded the fight against polio, achieving significant progress in reducing cases by over 99.9 percent through its partnership with the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. However, recent findings of poliovirus in London's sewage after nearly four decades underscore the ongoing importance of worldwide polio eradication efforts.
Currently, only two countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan, remain endemic to polio, with wild poliovirus transmission yet to be interrupted. Without sustained eradication endeavors, over 20 million healthy individuals face the risk of paralysis caused by the virus.
In line with its commitment, Rotary aims to raise $50 million annually for the next three years, with every dollar matched by an additional two dollars from the Gates Foundation. This expanded agreement will amount to a total of up to $450 million to support the Global Polio Eradication Initiative.
LOOKING FOR MORE INFORMATION
Official website: https://myjourneytoendpolio.com/
Central fundrasiser: https://raise.rotary.org/djozic_myjourneytoendpolio/fundraiser1
You may follow Bashar’s Journey progress on his Instagram and Facebook profiles https://www.instagram.com/myjourneytoendpolio/
https://www.facebook.com/MyJourneyToEndPolio
Do not hesitate to contact us!
rotarypublicimagezone21b@gmail.com
