The Don’t Forget Leprosy campaign has entered a new phase with the introduction of its latest tagline:

The Last Mile Starts Now

The new slogan was unveiled by WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination Yohei Sasakawa during a reception held in Geneva on May 18 alongside the 79th World Health Assembly, marking his 25 years as an ambassador in the fight against leprosy.

“The Last Mile Starts Now” is the latest iteration of the “Don’t Forget Leprosy” campaign that Sasakawa launched during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The new tagline reflects the belief that the final stage of any journey is often the most challenging. Although significant progress has been made toward a world free from leprosy, important work remains to be done to eliminate the disease and address the stigma, discrimination, and social exclusion that continue to affect persons impacted by leprosy.

As Sasakawa often says, “On a hundred-mile journey, the 99th mile should be considered halfway.” The saying serves as a reminder that reaching the finish line requires persistence, commitment, and renewed determination.

“With renewed determination to complete our task, we have chosen the slogan ‘The Last Mile Starts Now’ for the next phase of our campaign,” he said. “I hope the international community will join me in taking further action so that we reach our shared goal of a world without leprosy and the problems it causes. The last mile starts now.”

The Evolution of the Campaign Logo

The original logo, introduced in 2021, was inspired by the two wheels of a bicycle. The front wheel represents efforts to eliminate the disease through medical and public health interventions, while the rear wheel symbolizes efforts to eliminate stigma and discrimination. The concept behind the design is that both wheels must move forward together if the problems associated with leprosy are to be fully resolved.

In 2022, a second version of the logo was introduced with the addition of the message “Leave No One Behind,” emphasizing the importance of inclusion and ensuring that persons affected by leprosy are not left behind in development efforts.

Today, the campaign enters a new chapter with the launch of the “The Last Mile Starts Now” version of the logo, reflecting the urgency of completing the final stretch toward a world without leprosy.

Logo Files Available

Organizations and institutions that support the goals of the Don’t Forget Leprosy campaign are welcome to use the campaign logo in their communications and activities. The new The Last Mile Starts Now version are available upon request.

If your organization would like to receive the logo files, please contact us. We look forward to working together to spread the message that the last mile starts now.