Polio Eradication is Progressing

President Ray reported that in the first seven months of this year, one 100 cases of paralytic polio were reported from the four countries where polio is endemic. The world total of reported cases stands at 500 in the first seven months of this year. When Rotary launched the campaign against polio, the world saw in an average year 500,000 cases of polio resulting in 50,000 deaths and numerous cases of paralysis. In the first fund drive, Rotary set a goal of raising $120 million which was exceeded as Rotary raised $240 million. Challenges to raise another $220 million are being met with matching from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to the amount of $355 million.