A generation ago, polio struck fear into the hearts of parents everywhere, paralyzing hundreds of thousands of kids each year. Thankfully, most countries have kicked this disease to the curb, but the fight is far from over. This October 24, we mark World Polio Day, and it’s time for everyone to step up and help finish the job.
While Australia hasn't seen a polio case since 1972, children in other parts of the world are still at risk. Only Afghanistan and Pakistan are left battling the wild polio virus, but the threat is growing in Central Africa, where variant polio outbreaks are emerging.
Recent positive wastewater tests in London, a confirmed case in New York last year, and a new case in Gaza remind us: polio doesn’t care about borders. If we don’t keep vaccination rates high, it could easily spread back into communities around the globe—thanks to a single plane ride.
This viral infection attacks the nervous system, leading to paralysis and even death. But here’s the good news: it’s preventable with a simple vaccine. Since launching its PolioPlus program in 1985, Rotary has been in the trenches, working to stamp out polio worldwide. If they succeed, polio will join smallpox as only the second disease to be eradicated from the planet.
Back in 1988, Rotary teamed up with the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and the CDC to form the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI). The Gates Foundation and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, joined the cause later. At the start, there were a staggering 350,000 polio cases each year. Now? That number has dropped by more than 99.9%, with only around 40 cases reported this year!
Rotary has poured over $2.7 billion into the fight against polio, along with countless volunteer hours. Thanks to their efforts, more than 3 billion children have been vaccinated, saving over 21 million from paralysis and 1.5 million lives overall.
To keep this momentum going and ensure every child gets the vaccine, Rotary is committed to raising $50 million a year, with the Gates Foundation stepping up to match that amount 2-to-1. This means a whopping $150 million a year will go toward ending polio for good.
On World Polio Day, Rotary is sounding the alarm for public support. Your donations can help us hit that historic milestone of a polio-free world. Share the facts to encourage vaccine acceptance and prevent future outbreaks.
Want to help? Donate at End Polio Donate. Remember, every dollar you give is matched 2:1 by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation -tripling your impact! For more info about Rotary’s fight against polio, check out Rotary.org and endpolio.org.
