The world is on the verge of eliminating one of the most dreaded diseases of the 20th century -- poliomyelitis. This Friday, October 24, 2014 is World Polio Day.

 

During the first half of the 20th century, polio crippled over a half a million people every year. Even today, children in some developing countries continue to fall victim to the disease. But thanks in large part to Rotary International and to the 1.2 million Rotary members worldwide, the disease will soon be all but a memory. 

 

Before celebrating this public health milestone, the spread of the poliovirus must be interrupted in the poorest and most populous regions of the world, and surveillance must continue for several years to be sure the virus is completely wiped out. This is no easy task. One of the greatest challenges to the effort is a funding shortage.  

 

To date, Rotary has contributed more than US$1 billion to the protection of more than two billion children in 122 countries. Rotary reaches out to governments worldwide to obtain vital financial and technical support. Since 1995, donor governments have contributed in excess of $6 billion to polio eradication, due in part to Rotary’s advocacy efforts. But much more is needed. More than twenty years of steady progress is at stake, and polio -- now on the ropes -- stands to stage a dangerous comeback unless the funding gap is bridged. Learn more ways to help at: endpolionow.org.

 

In addition to raising money for polio eradication, Rotary members offer their time and expertise in the field to fight polio by providing support at clinics, transporting vaccine, contributing medical supplies, and mobilizing their communities for immunization and other polio eradication activities. More than one million members of Rotary worldwide have contributed toward the success of the polio eradication effort to date, demonstrating the extraordinary impact civil society can have on a global public health initiative.

 

With our spearheading partners in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative-- the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention—Rotary continues to make progress toward a polio-free world.

 

Once eradicated, polio will join smallpox as one of only two diseases ever eliminated.  And the volunteers of Rotary will continue their humanitarian work, living up to its motto, “service above self.”