In honour of World Polio Day, which is widely recognized on October 24, the Rotary Club of Huntsville is participating in a Rotary District-wide Polio Walk. The walk will take place on October 24 from 12-1 p.m. through downtown Huntsville as part of Rotary’s 27-year mission to eradicate the crippling disease polio. Rotarians will be wearing red End Polio Now ponchos for the walk to raise awareness in our community.
The message to world leaders is clear: support the final push to achieve eradication now while the goal has never been closer, or face the potential consequences of a new polio pandemic that could disable millions of children within a decade.
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.
Polio is not limited to just distant countries. It can affect people anywhere. For example, Brian Samuell, the volunteer Treasurer of Hunters Bay Radio in Huntsville, contracted polio in the epidemic of the early 1950s.
“It is incurable, but it is preventable. That is the key to eradication – inoculate children until it disappears. I joined Rotary 20 years ago because of the mission and I supported it throughout. And now it’s on the verge of eradication. Thank you, Rotary, you’ve nearly achieved a miracle”.
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 75 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.
Global Polio Eradication Initiative (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.
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In 1985 there were almost 1000 new cases of wild Polio viris infections each and every day. So far in 2017, world wide, there have only been 12 cases of wild polio virus infections. We are almost there but still need financial assistance to finish the job. The Government of Canada, regardless of political party in power, has been a strong supporter right from the beginning. It should be noted that the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will match every dollar donated through Rotary with $2 of theirs. Thank you!
Please help eradicate Polio in the rest of the world. The disease is only a plane ride away.