World Polio Day 2021

Posted by Stella Roy and Linda Robertson, EPNCs Zone 28
With only 4 wild polio cases reported to date in 2021 (3 in Afghanistan, 1 in Pakistan), there was lots of excitement and optimism on World Polio Day.  Although the goal of a Polio Free World appears to be within our grasp, we still need to vaccinate 400 million children each year.
 
The advocacy and fundraising of World Polio Day focuses all Rotarians on reaching our yearly $50 Million US goal.   Districts and clubs throughout our Zone held special polio meetings, organized small and large fundraisers and participated in virtual, hybrid and in-person events. There were hundreds of events around Zone 28 but only room here to feature a few.
 

   Updating Rotary’s Efforts to Eradicate Polio Worldwide/ The Global Class                                  “Move for Polio – End Polio Now”, July 1st to October 24th

Dr. Bob Scott, Panel Moderator is a member of the Rotary Club of Cobourg, Ontario and Chair Emeritus of Rotary International’s PolioPlus Committee. He is Past Chair of the Board of Trustees and Past Rotary Vice President.
 
This exceptional World Polio Day event was held in the Global Classroom at Durham College in Oshawa.
Dr. Scott was joined by Mike McGovern, Rotary International’s PolioPlus Chair, Dr. Sunji Funsho Rotary International’s PolioPlus Chair for Nigeria, Valarie Wafer, Rotary International’s Vice President and Jennifer Jones, 2022-23 Rotary International President.
 
World Polio Day Update was sponsored by 11 Rotary Clubs in Ontario. The 8 municipalities where these clubs are situated all declared October 24th World Polio Day and flew End Polio Now flags over their city halls.
 
District Governor Martin Parnell on extreme right joins other District 5360 leaders “Moving for Polio”.
 
This polio fundraising event in District 5360 of which 32 clubs participated was all about moving from the beginning of the Rotary Year to World Polio Day.  Fundraising collected to date is $75,000.00 CAD.
 
The 210 participants recorded a total of 62,000 km’s (1.6 times around the world) by running, walking, golfing, swimming, biking, gardening, yoga and many more activities.  DG Martin said this event had two benefits; one was to raise money for Polio and the other was to enhance the mental health and well-being of club members.
 
During tulip planting, Jolanta Janny Public Image Chair of the Rotary Club of Niagara on the Lake holds her community’s World Polio Day proclamation.
 
Tulips for Polio Planted in Niagara on the Lake
 
The Rotary Club of Niagara on the Lake planted 600 tulip bulbs in their local park for World Polio Day. Tulips are significant polio fundraiser in Eastern Canada and sales are organized by clubs and districts during June for delivery near World Polio Day.
 
World Polio Day on Prince Edward Island
 
Members of PEI Rotary Clubs gather for raising of the END POLIO NOW flag and provincial proclamation of World Polio Day 2021.