October 24th is World Polio Day. For most of my life, my only knowledge of Polio was the memory of sitting on a physician’s table with my young legs swinging as I was given a small vial of liquid, being told that it would protect me from getting sick. For some of you, the word Polio brings up a flood of memories of a time filled with fear from a mysterious virus that had life altering, if not deadly, consequences if contracted.  All of that changed with the development of a vaccine.

 

In 1979, Rotary International began its fight against Polio, leading to the launch of Polio Plus- an internationally coordinated public health initiative. Since that time, Rotary has supported efforts to vaccinate and subsequently eradicate Polio…almost. You have heard the phrase, “This close”. It is true, we are so close. But as history has proven, one case of wild Polio is one case too many. You may have seen recent news stories of Polio being detected in various countries around the world, and like me, your heart sank.

 

Rotarians, our work is not done. I ask you to join me in the mission to wipe this disease off the face of the Earth. Let it be such a distant thought that all children around the globe can be blissfully unaware of the dangers of Polio.  We are so close.