Rotary Club of Lincoln marked historic progress toward a polio-free world, while urging community support to end the paralyzing disease
Event among thousands to be held by Rotary across the globe on World Polio Day – 24 Oct.
Rotary members in Lincoln are among millions reaching out on World Polio Day to raise awareness, funds and support to end polio – a vaccine preventable disease that still threatens children in parts of the world today.
Since Rotary and its partners launched the Global Polio Eradication Initiative 30 years ago, the incidence of polio has plummeted by more than 99.9 percent, from about 350,000 cases a year to just 22 cases in 2017. To sustain this progress, and protect all children from polio, Rotary has committed to raising US$50 million per year in support of global polio eradication efforts. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will match Rotary’s commitment 2:1. Without full funding and political commitment, this paralyzing disease could return to previously polio-free countries, putting children everywhere at risk.
WE ARE “THIS CLOSE” ROTARIANS, PEOPLE OF ACTION, CHANGEMAKERS
Rotary has contributed more than US$1.8 billion to ending polio since 1985, including $2000 US annually contributed by the Rotary Club of Lincoln