Follow Ramesh's Journey

Just when we thought the campaign couldn’t get any bigger, it did. Prime Minister Stephen Harper met with the Cycle to Walk team today! It was such an honour for the team – both on the road and back in Whitehorse – to have the opportunity to meet with Mr. Harper in his Ottawa office.

Thank you so much, Mr. Harper, for taking the time out of your incredibly busy day to show support for a polio-free world. Our visit today helps demonstrate that Canada will continue to be a global leader in the fight against history’s greatest cause of disability. I wish also to thank the staff in the Prime Minister’s Office for the enthusiasm, support and encouragement they displayed.

Today was an early morning for the team. We were up by 5:30 am to attend the breakfast meeting of the Rotary Club of Ottawa-Stittsville. Everyone was very kind to us and showed major support for the campaign. To our surprise, District 7040 Governor Tom Taylor was in attendance. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all Rotarians for your continued support of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative.

Polio does not discriminate, nor does it respect boundaries. Polio levels are up in a number of places around the globe this year. By working together, we can show that Canada is completely behind global polio eradication efforts. I dream of the day the World Health Organization declares this to be a polio-free world.

After meeting with the Prime Minister, the team went out for lunch. The serving and kitchen staff were very supportive of Cycle to Walk, and they generously provided their tips to support the campaign. Thanks so much for that!
Our time in Ottawa is nearing its end, but it has been a great success. I am happy to know that the message of polio eradication, education and rehabilitation is being heard across the nation. Our work is not complete. We must eradicate polio.