World Polio Day - October 24th

World Polio Day was October 24th, and Rotarians around the world celebrated because we are so close to wiping this horrible disease off the face of the earth! Kingwood Rotarians have contributed each year since we were chartered over a decade ago, and we're proud that we are helping make history in the fight to eradicate polio.

In 1985, Rotary boldly launched the first global campaign to immunize the world’s children against polio. In 1988, we mobilized the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to join us. Thirty years later, Africa has gone one year without a case of polio. There are no limits to what we can accomplish together.

In 1985, polio existed in 125 countries...today, thanks to Rotary, it is still in 2 countries. Rotary’s partners in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, as well as local governments, have been critical to this success.

Rotary has contributed over $1.4 billion and countless volunteer hours to polio eradication. Today, polio has been eradicated in every country except Pakistan and Afghanistan.

We’ve seen historic progress this year, with Nigeria and all of Africa going a full year without a case of polio.

But it’s too soon to celebrate.

The support of Rotary, donors, and governments remains critical in the final stages of polio eradication.

Through 2018 every $1 Rotary commits to direct support for polio immunization will be matched 2-to-1 (up to $35 million per year) by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Each donation to PolioPlus makes triple the impact!

Make history today! Donate and learn more at endpolio.org.