Eradicating polio has been Rotary's top priority since 1988. We are down to 2 countries that still have live polio virus. In October, we focus on raising awareness of polio and World Polio Day. Four members of the Rochester Risers Rotary Club were recently named to the Polio Plus Society.
Four members of the Rochester Risers Rotary Club, Dean Stenehjem, Paul Baessler, Gail Baker, and Don Supalla were recently recognized by District Governor Elect Patricia McCleese for their commitment to eradicating polio! All four Risers earned a Polio Plus Society lapel pin. Thank you for doing good in the world!
Since 1985 Rotarians have raised more than $2.1 billion for this noble cause and with that money Rotarians have been able to provide polio vaccine to more than 3.5 billion children. Only two countries remain polio endemic—Pakistan and Afghanistan—and the World Health Organization estimates that there are now more than 19 million children who—today—are alive and healthy and running and playing with their friends but who would have been paralyzed by polio but for Rotary’s polio eradication program.
To learn more about what you can do to eradicate polio, and to donate, visit https://www.endpolio.org/.