Neighbor News
Fairfield-Suisun Rotary Club announces World Polio Day
October 24th highlights Rotary's primary international mission
In honor of World Polio Day, which is widely recognized on 24 October, the ROTARY CLUB of Fairfield-Suisun is promoting the PolioPlus Society as part of Rotary’s 27-year mission to eradicate the crippling childhood disease polio.
World Polio Day follows a succession of significant developments that have made 2020 one of the most important years in the history of the polio eradication initiative.
Since 1985, Rotary has contributed nearly $1.2 billion and countless volunteer hours to the protection of more than two billion children in 122 countries. The disease remains endemic in three countries -- Afghanistan, Nigeria, and Pakistan -- although other countries remain at risk for imported cases.
The Rotary Club of Fairfield-Suisun has 3 Polio Warriors: Randeep Singh Arora, Steve Lessler and Richard Lubman. They get regular updates and report them to the Club members as well as assist with raising funds.
A highly infectious disease, polio causes paralysis and is sometimes fatal. As there is no cure, the best protection is prevention. For as little as US 60 cents worth of vaccine, a child can be protected against this crippling disease for life. After an international investment of more than US$9 billion, and the successful engagement of over 200 countries and 20 million volunteers, polio could be the first human disease of the 21st century to be eradicated.
GPEI is spearheaded by the World Health Organization, Rotary International, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). It includes the support of governments and other private sector donors.
Rotary brings together a global network of volunteer leaders dedicated to tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. Rotary connects 1.2 million members of more than 34,000 Rotary clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas. Their work improves 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.org or FSRotary.org to reach the local Club about donations or membership.