Rotary is part of a global partnership that, since 1988, has reduced the number
of polio cases worldwide by 99 percent.
The Rotarians of District 5180 have raised $1,202,663 for Polio Plus and $63,595
for Polio Plus Partners to date as they
generously supported this effort to save the children of the world from needless
suffering. They have also participated in National Immunization Days in countries
around the world as volunteers in this worthy cause.
Despite tremendous progress in reducing the incidence of polio, it still exists.
Polio will continue to threaten children everywhere as long as it exists somewhere.
In this age of global travel, a new outbreak of polio might only be a plane ride
away.
Did you know that . . .
- Polio is a highly infectious disease that primarily affects children under the age
of three and can cause paralysis within hours.
- Before eradication efforts began in 1988, polio paralyzed more than 1,000 children
a day, which totaled about 350,000 children annually. The incidence of polio has
since declined by more than 99 percent.
- Vaccinations easily can stave off polio. Vaccinations have prevented an estimated
500,000 children per year from contracting polio. A child can be protected against
polio for as little as 60 cents (US) worth of vaccine.
- Only four countries are still polio endemic — an all-time low: Nigeria, India, Pakistan,
and Afghanistan.
- Rotary International is the spearheading member of the Global Polio Eradication
Initiative and is the largest private sector donor. It has contributed more than
US$600 million to the polio eradication activities in 122 countries. In addition,
tens of thousands of Rotarians have partnered with their national ministries of
health, UNICEF, the World Health Organization, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention, and with health providers at the grassroots level in thousands of
communities.
A polio-free world is within our grasp. Join Rotary’s effort to end this crippling
disease. Learn more about Rotary's
ongoing effort
to eradicate polio and how you can help through
contributions to PolioPlus
and
PolioPlus Partners
The PolioPlus Division of The Rotary Foundation supports Rotarians' efforts to achieve
Rotary International's and its Foundation's goal of the certification of the eradication
of the wild poliovirus. This support includes the provision of quality education
and information to promote the efforts of Rotarians directly involved in polio eradication
activities, and the membership at large; facilitation of interaction, particularly
between Rotarians in polio free and polio affected countries, collaboration with
Rotary’s partners in the Polio Eradication Initiative, and grants to Rotarians and
partner organizations.
For more information please visit the Rotary International Website Help End Polio Site
