Why does Rotary still focus on eradication of polio?
Posted by Steven Walden
When we tell folks about the great things Rotary does, we may take this question for granted. You may not know it, but our efforts to eradicate polio are still relevant.
First, a brief note on polio: Poliomyelitis is a viral disease that can affect nerves and can lead to partial or full paralysis. Prior to the 1950's, the disease was reported to have paralyzed more than 1,000 children every day. The disease was worldwide. Chances are, you know someone who was affected by the disease in the United States.
The inoculation for the poliovirus is taken orally. Children in the United States are still immunized. Since 1988, more than two billion children world-wide have been immunized against polio due to the efforts or Rotarians.
The World Health Organization reports that efforts to immunize children have been widely successful. The organization reports that 561 cases have been reported this year. Rotary International believes that we can reduce this number to zero by continuing to focus our efforts on complete immunization. To date, Rotarians have since raised more than $900 million to end polio. Rotary is now a partner with the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for a renewed effort to eradicate polio. Our club's endeavor to raise $2000 per year for the next three years is our effort to match the Bill and Melinda Gates' donation.
The efforts to eradicate polio are focused on Pakistan, Afghanistan, India and Nigeria - the four countries where the disease remains. This is the relevant part: so long as there are countries where polio continues to exist, there is a danger that the disease can still be spread. Therefore, the threat of polio in the United States is really only a plane trip away!
As a Rotarian you should feel good about what you have contributed to our combined efforts have made a tremendous change in the lives of children everywhere. But, there is still a need. By continuing to support programs like Every Rotarian Every Year, you are having an impact on the complete eradication of the disease. Additionally, there are hands-on opportunities in which medical teams are supported by Rotarians in administering the immunizations in other countries. Let's continue to do our part in supporting Rotary's effort to end this terrible disease.
Yours in Rotary,
Steve Walden
The inoculation for the poliovirus is taken orally. Children in the United States are still immunized. Since 1988, more than two billion children world-wide have been immunized against polio due to the efforts or Rotarians.
The World Health Organization reports that efforts to immunize children have been widely successful. The organization reports that 561 cases have been reported this year. Rotary International believes that we can reduce this number to zero by continuing to focus our efforts on complete immunization. To date, Rotarians have since raised more than $900 million to end polio. Rotary is now a partner with the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for a renewed effort to eradicate polio. Our club's endeavor to raise $2000 per year for the next three years is our effort to match the Bill and Melinda Gates' donation.
The efforts to eradicate polio are focused on Pakistan, Afghanistan, India and Nigeria - the four countries where the disease remains. This is the relevant part: so long as there are countries where polio continues to exist, there is a danger that the disease can still be spread. Therefore, the threat of polio in the United States is really only a plane trip away!
As a Rotarian you should feel good about what you have contributed to our combined efforts have made a tremendous change in the lives of children everywhere. But, there is still a need. By continuing to support programs like Every Rotarian Every Year, you are having an impact on the complete eradication of the disease. Additionally, there are hands-on opportunities in which medical teams are supported by Rotarians in administering the immunizations in other countries. Let's continue to do our part in supporting Rotary's effort to end this terrible disease.
Yours in Rotary,
Steve Walden