Rotary Will Mark Historic Progress Toward A Polio-Free World!

NEWS RELEASE

Marguerite Padovani,

Rotary District 5170

mpadpr@gmail.com

(408) 799-045

Rotary Will Mark Historic Progress Toward A Polio-Free World!

Rotary Clubs Around The World Unite On World Polio Day, 24 October

SAN JOSE, Calif. October 20, 2020 — Rotary District 5170 will be uniting and taking action on World Polio Day to raise awareness, funds, and support to end polio, a vaccine-preventable disease that still threatens children in parts of the world today.

When Rotary and its partners launched the Global Polio Eradication Initiative in 1988, there were 350,000 cases of polio in 125 countries every year. We’ve made great progress against the disease since then.

Today, polio cases have been reduced by 99.9 percent, and just two countries continue to report cases of wild poliovirus: Afghanistan and Pakistan. And we remain committed to the end.

With polio nearly eradicated, Rotary and its partners must sustain this progress and continue to reach every child with the polio vaccine. Without full funding and political commitment, this paralyzing disease could return to polio-free countries, putting children everywhere at risk.

In addition, Time Magazine 100 Is honoring Dr. Tunji Funsho, Chair of Rotary International’s National PolioPlus Committee in Nigeria , he is one of 5 Africans on

Time Magazine’s 100 List, for his tireless work in eradicating Polio in Nigeria.

“Our district has been very proactive in raising funds and we are proud of the progress we have made over the years in support of eradicating Polio around the world, said Orrin Mahoney, the Rotary District 5170 Foundation Chair.

“Rotary has contributed more than $2.1 billion to ending polio since 1985, including $1.5 million over the past 4 years donated by the Rotary District 5170, now comprised of 61 clubs," he added.

In addition to The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation who has pledged to match that 2-to-1, for a total yearly contribution of $150 million.

Rotary has committed to raising US$50 million each year to support global polio eradication efforts.

About Rotary District 5170

Rotary District 5170, 61 clubs with 4,000 members is part of the Rotary International global network of volunteer leaders dedicated to tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. Rotary International connects 1.2 million members of more than 34,000 Rotary clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas. Their work impacts lives at both the local and international levels, from helping families in need in their own communities to working toward a polio- free world. For more information, visit Rotary District 5170 at www.rotarydistrict5170.org.

About Rotary

Rotary is a global network of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who unite and take action to create lasting change in communities around the globe. For more than 110 years, Rotary’s people of action have used their passion, energy, and intelligence to improve lives through service. From promoting literacy and peace to providing clean water and improving health care, Rotary members are always working to better the world.

Visit endpolio.org to learn more about Rotary and the fight to eradicate polio.