Greetings 5950 on World Polio Day, October 24! Polio eradication is Rotary’s #1 cause, so please participate:

I am excited to report that door-to-door immunizations have resumed in Pakistan. Thanks to Rotary and our Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) partners, we have moved the needle from 350,000 cases a year in the mid-1980s to 129 worldwide YTD (77 in Pakistan, 52 in Afghanistan). And with the addition of Global Alliance of Vaccine Initiative to our GPEI, we are a big part in the vaccine development and future distribution for Covid-19.

 

We have much to celebrate. Last year District 5950’s 65 clubs raised $268,000 toward polio – leveraged to $750,000+ with the Gates Foundation’s 2:1 match. Our 16-district Zone was fifth highest in the world for polio giving! Worldwide, RI raised its $50 million goal and received the full $100 million Gates Foundation match. Finally, the entire continent of Africa (all 54 countries) was certified as polio-free.

 

Be sure to remember Rotary’s ask of $1,500 per club toward our polio cause. If your club does not have an event planned, use another club’s idea or team up. We are better together. Thank you for your generosity!