District 7070 in southern Ontario, home District to Bob Scott, has created the Bob Scott Disease Prevention Award to be presented to an individual or organization that is making a difference in the fight against disease. The first recipient of the award is Bill Gates, who was on hand to receive it late last month.
Rotary District 7070 named the award to honor Dr. Bob Scott, past PolioPlus Chair and past RI vice president, for his work as Rotary’s global ambassador in support of Rotary’s fight to end polio. During his eight years as RI PolioPlus Chair, Bob and his wife Ann traveled thousands of miles around the globe. He is credited with having raised millions of dollars from world leaders in the fight to end polio.
The award will be presented in Dr. Scott's name to individuals or organizations who have made a difference in the health and wellbeing of others on a local, national or international level.
Gates accepted the award in Ottawa on Feb. 25 (see article, next page) and then met with Rotary leaders for a private chat to discuss the future of polio immunization.
Valarie Wafer was governor of D-7070 in 2013-14 when the award was proposed. It was introduced to Rotarians in southern Ontario at the Rotary District 7070 Conference last October. Gordon Crann, president of the Toronto-Earlscourt Club, serves as chair of the District Bob Scott Disease Prevention Award Committee, which will choose the recipients.
Dr. Scott first met Mr. Gates through their common interest in eradicating polio, he said. "Bill Gates is a great guy. He is the wealthiest man in the world yet he is working day and night to resolve many health situations," Scott said.
In addition to fighting polio, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation contributes to malaria, diarrhea illnesses and anti-poverty initiatives.
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s new partnership with Rotary could bring more than $500 million to the fight. In 2007, the Gates Foundation gave the Rotary Foundation a $100-million challenge grant for polio eradication, and in 2009, in-creased it to $355 million. Rotary agreed to raise $200 million in matching funds by June 30, 2012, but Rotarians in fact raised $228.7 million toward the challenge.
While in Ottawa, Gates met with Prime Minister Stephen Harper to discuss maternal, newborn and child health initiatives. The prime minister also reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to support immunization by announcing new investments toward improving access to vaccines for mothers and children. These investments are aimed at eradicating polio and eliminating tetanus, as well as providing support to 20 implementation research teams, made up of African and Canadian researchers, who will contribute to improving maternal and child health in Africa.
— from Northumberland News
TRF Canada