Panhandling to eradicate Polio
By Rossland Telegraph
Polio is still a real danger to children in some parts of the world. If it can spread in those parts of the world, it could also spread around the world again. The Rotary Club is determined to eradicate polio globally, to keep children everywhere safe from its debilitating or fatal effects.
Here in Rossland, Rotary Club members will be “Panhandling for Polio” again during Golden City Days – to raise awareness of the hazards of the disease, and to raise funds to help eradicate polio.
In the morning of September 7, please be ready to contribute spare change, cash, or cheques for this great cause, as Rotary members “panhandle” along the parade route, or at the old Bank of Montreal corner.
Rossland Rotary says, “We have done this “panhandling” for the past 3 years, and it has been a HUGE success. The whole town is out celebrating so we have access to many people in our community. People have been so generous with their contributions, and so interested to learn more about Rotary’s efforts to eradicate the disease. Most people are surprised to see us raising awareness and funds for a disease that hasn’t been seen in North America in decades.
“When Rotary and its partners launched the Global Polio Eradication Initiative more than three decades ago, polio paralyzed 1,000 children every day.We’ve made great progress against the disease since then. Polio cases have dropped by 99.9 percent, from 350,000 cases in 1988 in 125 countries to 33 cases of wild poliovirus in 2018 in just two countries: Afghanistan and Pakistan. And we remain committed to the end.”
[Editor’s Note: Polio was also reported and confirmed in Papua New Guinea in 2018.]
“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. Rotary has committed to raising US$50 million each year to support global polio eradication efforts. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has pledged to match that 2-to-1, for a total yearly contribution of $150 million.
“Rotary has contributed more than $1.9 billion to ending polio since 1985.”
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 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.orgto learn more about Rotary and the fight to eradicate polio.
