Don't miss the live streamed celebration from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Rotary's involvement in eradicating polio started in 1989 when over 350,000 cases existed in the world. Barely 30 years later, only 10 cases exist--6 in Afghanistan and 4 in Pakistan--in 2017. 99.9% of the cases have been eradicated. Over the next three years, Rotary has pledged to raise $50 million per year to support global polio eradication efforts. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has agreed to match these funds 2:1. We must all commit to reaching the goal of ending polio in the world. We are so close.
During the month of October, Rotarians in District 7890 have been asked to focus on the goal of a polio free world. To this end, World Polio Day on October 24th presents an opportunity to sponsor programs to highlight our efforts and seek a continuing commitment from our members, friends and business associates.
Special events are being planned around the world. A key event will the live streaming of the fifth annual World Polio Day event at 5:30 PM EST. The website: https://www.endpolio.org/world-polio-day has a host of materials and planning guides that can be used to plan events and learn what other Rotarians will be doing.