ERADICATING POLIO
The fight to eradicate polio from the world has been one of Rotary’s key humanitarian projects since 1988 when a partnership with the World Health Organisation created the “Global Polio Eradication Initiative”. At this time it was estimated that there were some 350,000 cases of polio spread across no less than 125 countries.
Polio or poliomyelitis is a paralysing and deadly infection disease that infects children generally prior to the age of 5. The severe cases of infection result in lifelong limb deformities (see above) and breathing paralysis leading to death in some instances. There is no cure. Polio is preventable with a vaccine that protects costing just $3 a child.
Rotary has helped to immunize in excess of 2.5 billion children through fundraising and donations of more than the equivalent of $1.8 billion dollars. Rotary runs the Purple4Polio campaign to raise awareness by selling purple crocuses and lighting up buildings in purple. Purple is the colour of the dye placed on the little finger of the left hand of each child to show they have been immunised against polio
The number of polio cases in the world has been reduced by 99.9% and since October 2020 cases persist in just 2 countries of Afghanistan, and Pakistan. The amount of diminishing cases is such that eradication isn’t far off and efforts to finally eradicate this awful disease need to be maintained.
IF ALL ERADICATION EFFORTS STOPPED, WITHIN 10 YEARS THE RE EMERGENCE OF POLIO COULD PARALYSE AS MANY AS 200,000 CHILDREN EACH YEAR.
Why not JOIN US at Locks Heath Rotary and help Rotary finish the job of completely wiping the scourge of this disease from our world saving many young children’s lives.
Alternatively why not visit our DONATE page and make a financial contribution. Any donation you make is matched 2:1 by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, hence your donation is effectively trebled.
Remember until polio is banished forever all children are at risk.
