Why World Polio Day Matters
Poliomyelitis (polio) is a crippling and sometimes fatal disease that primarily affects children under age 5 by attacking the nervous system and, in severe cases, causing paralysis.
On the End Polio site you’ll see that a key message is: “Together, We End Polio” — emphasizing our shared role in reaching the finish line.
World Polio Day is more than a commemoration — it’s an opportunity for education, awareness, advocacy and action. The End Polio site offers us:
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A clear call to Learn, Share, and Donate — three simple ways each of us can make a difference.
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Up-to-date global data showing that since 1988 polio cases have dropped by 99.9 % and that only two countries remain endemic: Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Rotary’s Role & What We’ve Achieved
Our club is part of a historic movement. Some milestones:
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Rotary’s major polio initiative began in the late 1970s and-80s, culminating in the launch of the PolioPlus program.
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The Global Polio Eradication Initiative was founded in 1988, with Rotary as a key partner alongside WHO, UNICEF and the CDC.
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The recent statistics: Only two countries remain with endemic wild poliovirus transmission (Afghanistan & Pakistan) according to End Polio.
Thanks to the efforts of clubs like ours worldwide, polio has been pushed to the brink of extinction. This is a legacy we can be proud of and one we must sustain.
Why the Finish Line Is Still in Sight — And Why We Must Cross It
Because of our progress, it might be tempting to think the job is done. But the End Polio site reminds us that the job is not yet complete. Key points:
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Even one remaining case is a risk: until polio is gone everywhere, it can come back.
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The “Donate” call-to-action on End Polio underscores that funds are still needed — including a matching contribution from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (currently 2:1 match) to amplify donations.
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Spreading awareness remains critical: many people assume polio is already eradicated, so sharing accurate information is part of the fight.
For our club in South Tyler, this means we still have an important role—to raise our voices, raise funds, and educate our community.
A Message to Our Members
Dear fellow Rotarians: your commitment—whether through giving, volunteering, advocacy or simply spreading the word—plays a significant part in ending polio forever. The effort of many has brought us so close. But ending polio is not just a victory for global health—it’s one of our organization’s defining achievements and truly embodies our motto of Service Above Self.
Let us renew our pledge this week that the world we live in will see no more children paralyzed by polio. We are so close. Let’s finish the job.
Thank you for your continued service—
In Rotary fellowship,
Tiffany McPherson Damskov
President-Elect South Tyler Rotary Club
For further reading, to donate, and access to all the tools, go to: End Polio – Home
“Together, we end polio.”
