Sami Zayn’s ‘Sami For Syria’ Campaign Approaches Goal

Sami Zayn’s “Sami For Syria” Campaign is approaching its fundraising goal, bringing needed medical care to the people of Syria. But the work isn’t done yet.

Sami Zayn may not have realized the impact he’d be able to have when he started Sami For Syria.

Sami For Syria is a fundraising campaign that Zayn started in August of 2017. He decided to celebrate his 33rd birthday by using his notoriety to make a difference for the people of Syria. The fund was established with the goal of creating a mobile clinic, making medical care accessible to those affected by the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region. The campaign quickly hit its initial goal, securing enough funding to purchase a vehicle- but there’s still work to be done.

Sami Zayn is of Syrian descent. His parents are Syrian immigrants, and he still has family in Syria. He wanted to use the platform WWE could give him to make a difference in the region. After some research and initial work with SAMS, he decided a fundraiser for a mobile clinic could have the most impact. As Zayn shared in an interview with Al Araibyah:

"“When you think about Syria and you think about the conflict in Syria, a lot of people think about the injuries and the medical emergencies. But a lot of people don’t think that the people who deal with these injuries, or the people that are surrounded by these injuries have to deal with mental trauma that lasts, sometimes, a lifetime. Post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety… Sadly for a lot of these kids in Syria, this is all they’ve known, so a lot of these mental health issues are prevalent in children. I’m very happy that our mobile clinic will do something to help them as well.”"

Sami also wants to help the WWE audience connect with the Syrian people and empathize with their struggles.

"I know it’s hard for a lot of people who don’t have that association with Syria to really empathize. It’s so hard, if you are living in the [United] States, to imagine what it would be like to them. You can’t imagine it. People struggle to make that emotional connection, which is why, I feel like, if I can be that middle ground for them, if I can be a Syrian that they can relate to, and they can see that, well[…]It could very easily be me, and that’s why it’s such a personal connection to me, you know? If I can help people who don’t have a connection to Syria make a connection to Syria as a Syrian person, then I’m happy to do that,"

Thanks to his efforts, many people have found that connection to Sami For Syria, including his fellow WWE superstars. Kevin Owens, Seth Rollins, and Roman Reigns have donated and encouraged their fans to follow the campaign. Fans have also put their own efforts into spreading the word via social media.

Sami Zayn has continued his effort to draw attention and funding to the cause. He’s held matching campaigns around SummerSlam and Christmas Day, and he’s been vocal about the need to expand the clinic’s scope and continue supporting the fund.  Recently, Zayn was honored with the SAMS Humanitarian Award for his efforts with the fund.

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As conditions worsen in Syria, the efforts of philanthropists like Sami and organizations like SAMS are needed more than ever.  Sami For Syria is now within $5,000 of their second fundraising goal. To learn more, you can visit SamiForSyria.com .