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Rotary to mark historic progress toward a polio-free world
Event among thousands to be held by Rotary across the globe on World Polio Day – October 24
Rotary Clubs of Cranbrook and Cranbrook Sunrise members are among millions reaching out on World Polio Day to raise awareness, funds and support to end polio – a vaccine preventable disease that still threatens children in parts of the world today.
This Wednesday afternoon (Oct. 24) before the Kootenay ICE game, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., people can see a restored iron lung (example of an iron lung pictured above) on display outside the south entrance of Western Financial Place. It is one of the original iron lungs kept thousands of people alive when they were stricken by paralysis during the North American polio outbreak in the 1950s.
Since Rotary and its partners launched the Global Polio Eradication Initiative 30 years ago, the incidence of polio has plummeted by more than 99.9%, from about 350,000 cases a year to just 22 cases in 2017.
To sustain this progress, and protect all children from polio, Rotary has committed to raising US$50 million per year in support of global polio eradication efforts. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will match Rotary’s commitment two to one. Without full funding and political commitment, this paralyzing disease could return to previously polio-free countries, putting children everywhere at risk.
“Polio is perceived to be a disease of the past for many Canadians,” said Walter Gramm of the Rotary Club of Cranbrook, “But there are thousands of people worldwide still living with its aftereffects. Rotary wants to see the iron lung soon become historical relic rather than a current medical device, and we are very close to realizing that vision.”
Rotary has contributed more than US$1.8 billion to ending polio since 1985, including over US$10,000 contributed by the two Cranbrook Rotary clubs in the past three years.
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 35,000 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.
Visit endpolio.org for more about Rotary and its efforts to eradicate polio.
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