Champion Spotlight
Learn about Ramesh Ferris, a polio survivor and advocate, helping fight for a polio-free future for children everywhere.
Ramesh Ferris
Ramesh Ferris is a polio survivor and Rotarian who resides in Whitehorse, Yukon Canada. He has a bachelor’s degree in social work, and is the past president of the Rotary Club of Whitehorse Rendezvous.
Ramesh is the Rotary 5370 District Governor for 2025-2026 and previously was a Rotary End Polio Now Coordinator for Zone 28.
In 2008 Ramesh hand-cycled 7140kms over 6 months from Victoria, BC to Cape Spear, NL in program called Cycle to Walk to raise funds and awareness for polio eradication, education, and rehabilitation.
Over the past 18 years Ramesh has volunteered in partnership with the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, Rotary International, the Gates Foundation, Global Citizen, United Nations Foundation, and the World Health Organization to promote our shared global goal of ending polio.
He has shared Rotary’s End Polio message with countless heads of state, many world leaders, and celebrities around the world.
He has spoken to delegates at the United Nations in New York City and to many Rotarians at various Rotary International Conventions, Zone Institutes and District Conferences around the world.
Ramesh has provided the polio vaccine to children in Karachi Pakistan, Kabul, Afghanistan, and in his birth country of India.
He is the recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee award, the Yukon Commissioner’s award for volunteer public service, and Rotary International’s International Service award for a polio-free world.
