OCTOBER 2019
ROTARY DISTRICT 5450
 
 
 
October 22, 2019
 
WORLD POLIO DAY OCTOBER 24th
Colorado Rotarians Support World-Wide Polio Eradication Efforts and Continue to Raise Funds to Fight the Disease
 
It's not something you hear much about in the United States anymore, but polio is still active in two (2) third-world countries. Colorado Rotarians, in particular, those who survived this dreaded disease, keep a close watch on the progress, and are available for interviews. Local Rotarians still feel the urgency because once a person is infected, there is no way to stop it. In November, Rotary District 5450 Governor Curt Harris plans to ride his bike 100 miles in Arizona. He hopes to raise $20,000. Click here for details.
 
Young children are the most vulnerable to polio. The results can be devastating; life-long paralysis and even death. Immunizations have proven very effective in preventing the spread.
 
Vaccines started in the United States in 1955 after Dr. Jonas Salk discovered them. Over time, polio was eradicated in the U.S. However; it remains active in Afghanistan and Pakistan. No new cases have been reported for the last three years in Nigeria, meaning it may soon be declared polio-free.  Polio spreads through contaminated water and inadequate sanitation. Rotary International began an immunization program in 1979. Later the charitable organization teamed up with the World Health Organization, UNICEF, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and others to ensure continued vaccination efforts in hotspot countries. Despite all the controversy about vaccinations, science shows them to be highly effective against the spread of polio. Since 1988, the number of polio cases has been reduced by over 99% through vaccinations. 
 
Local Rotarians and polio survivors Dave Talbot and Dr. Marny Eulberg are available for interviews, underscoring the importance and urgency for vaccinations. Their biographies are listed below. Rotary District 5450 is comprised of 61 Rotary Clubs, many in the metro area.
 
For further information, please contact the Rotary 5450 Public Relations team.  
Becky Miller-972-670-5528
Cher Cruz-720-226-6651
 
Polio statistics available at: www.endpolio.org or www.rotary.og
 
David Talbot contracted polio in 1955, shortly after Dr. Salk's new vaccination was announced. He recovered enough to play sports in high school and college. However, in more recent years, he has been dealing with post-polio syndrome. David and his wife run a charity called Crutches 4 Africa. They collect mobility devices such as crutches and walkers, then ship them to Africa, where they are distributed free of charge. 
 
Marny Eulberg, M.D., and her sister contracted polio five years before the availability of the vaccine in the U.S.  She practiced as a full spectrum family physician for over 40 years.  Dr. Eulberg founded a Post-Polio Clinic in Denver in 1985 and has seen over 1,800 polio survivors since that time. The only patients she currently sees are persons who are polio survivors.  Dr. Eulberg is very active in Colorado Post-Polio Organization and Post-Polio Health International.  She chairs Rotary District 5450's Polio Committee.