Rotary Foundation Minute

Compared to twenty cases of Polio last year at this time, only ten cases have been reported in the world to date: one in Afghanistan, six in Pakistan and three in Lao People’s Democratic Republic. Rotary is on its way to eradicating this horrific disease. It is important that Rotarians around the world continue their financial support! Why? Because:

· Polio anywhere is a risk to children everywhere. The Global Polio Eradication Initiative is committed to fighting the disease until every child is safe.

· This is our chance to make history by wiping out the second human disease ever. Globally, we are “this close” to ending polio.

· If we don’t end polio now, experts say the disease could rebound to ten million cases in the next 40 years.

· It’s Achievable: There is no cure for polio, but the polio vaccine successfully prevents cases. Success in polio eradication sets the stage for the next big global health initiative.

· It’s a Good Investment: The world has invested $9 billion dollars toward polio eradication and an independent study published in the medical journal Vaccine estimates the net economic benefits at US $40 to 50 billion over the next 20 years – a savings that can be put towards fighting other diseases.

And the infrastructure for polio immunization also strengthens the systems for other health interventions. Since the global initiative began more than 25 years ago, Rotary and its partners have reduced polio cases by more than 99 percent worldwide. It has raised more than US $1 billion dollars and committed countless volunteer hours to fight the disease. Thank you Rotarians for making this happen!!