World Polio Torch Relay 2026
Cathy’s Torch. Her Legacy. Our Journey to End Polio.
From October 2-24, 2026, Rotary clubs throughout District 5130 will carry a community relay torch on an extraordinary journey across Northern California, uniting Rotarians, families and communities in the worldwide effort to end polio.
Beginning in Crescent City and concluding in Petaluma on World Polio Day, the torch will travel through communities across Del Norte, Humboldt, Mendocino, Lake, Napa and Sonoma counties.
One District. One Mission. A World Free of Polio.
Each participating Rotary club will organize a local event featuring the torch. Activities may include walks, runs, bicycle rides, community gatherings, youth participation and ceremonial handoffs from one Rotary club to the next.
Together, these events will create one continuous District-wide journey of hope, remembrance and action.
The Story Behind Cathy’s Torch
The community relay torch honors the memory of Catherine “Cathy” Ritter and the spirit of service she embodied. In 1984, Cathy participated in a community fundraising torch relay through South Lake Tahoe, where local residents gathered along Highway 50 to cheer on the participants.
Cathy was the daughter of longtime Rotarian Bob Rogers, a polio survivor and member of the Rotary Club of Sebastopol. Her story, together with her father’s experience with polio, gives this District-wide relay special meaning.
Cathy passed away in 2025 following a courageous journey with metastatic breast cancer. As the community relay torch travels from place to place, District 5130 honors Cathy’s life, Bob’s polio story and Rotary’s enduring promise to help create a polio-free world.
Follow the Torch Across District 5130
The World Polio Torch Relay will begin in Crescent City on October 2 and conclude in Petaluma on October 24, World Polio Day. Follow District 5130 for route updates, local events and opportunities to participate or support Rotary’s polio eradication efforts.
The planned route includes:
Crescent City
Arcata and McKinleyville
Eureka
Ferndale
Fortuna
Garberville
Fort Bragg
Mendocino
Gualala
Willits
Ukiah
Lakeport
Calistoga
St. Helena
Napa
Cloverdale
Healdsburg
Windsor
Santa Rosa
Sebastopol
Sonoma
Rohnert Park
Petaluma
Find an Event Near You
Community members are invited to attend local Torch Relay events, walk alongside Rotarians, participate in community activities and help spread the message that the world can—and must—end polio.
Each participating Rotary club will share its event time, location and participation information through its website and social media pages.
Support the Campaign
Members of the public can support the World Polio Torch Relay through an approved Raise for Rotary fundraising page established by a participating Rotary club.
Each club will provide its own donation button or fundraising link on its website, social media pages and local event materials. Donations made through these approved club campaigns will benefit PolioPlus through The Rotary Foundation and will be credited to the participating club.
Why Ending Polio Matters
For more than 35 years, Rotary and its partners in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative have worked to protect children around the world from this devastating disease.
Extraordinary progress has been made, but polio anywhere remains a threat to children everywhere. Continued vaccination, public awareness and financial support are essential until transmission of the virus has been stopped worldwide.
The World Polio Torch Relay represents the determination of Rotary members and communities across District 5130 to finish the work of ending polio.
Follow and Share the Journey
Follow Rotary District 5130 and participating Rotary clubs on social media for photographs, videos and event announcements from communities along the route.
Share the journey using:
#EndPolioNow
#WorldPolioDay
#TorchRelay
#RotaryDistrict5130
Questions?
For information about a local relay event, please contact the participating Rotary club directly.
For general information about the District-wide World Polio Torch Relay, please contact:
World Polio Torch Relay Chair: Renee McKenna
District 5130 Public Image Chair: Marguerite “Maggie” Padovani
