Riding for my cousins, who perished from polio

By Rotary International

By Naish Shah

My two cousins had polio, and they passed away before they reached adulthood. My brother, my sister, and I were fortunate to have been born here in Chicago, so we received the polio vaccine that my cousins in India never got. This has made me passionate about doing whatever I can to help eradicate this horrible disease.

I rode with the Miles to End Polio team last year. My fellow members of the Rotary Club of Naperville Downtown, Illinois, USA, and I raised more than $8,000 for the cause. Easily, the Miles to End Polio effort last year was the most memorable experience of the two years I’ve worked at Rotary International. It really provided a tangible way to contribute toward Rotary’s mission and live the motto of Service Above Self.

I also felt blessed to be able to train and ride with the team last year. I had never ridden more than 104 miles before. I could not have done it without the tips, support, and encouragement of the team. We truly built goodwill and friendship. It was a great experience, and I thank all my teammates for their support.

We also received wonderful hospitality and support from the Rotary …read more

Source:: Rotary International Blog

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