End Polio Now News

Letter to the Editor:  This appeared in a recent local newspaper.  We thought it was an idea worth sharing. Rotarians - you can use this to write to your local newspapers.

I want to bring readers’ attention to the imminent realization of Rotary’s amazing polio philanthropic project.
 
This September, Nigeria was declared polio-free.  That leaves Afghanistan and Pakistan as the only polio-endemic countries.  While no one can predict when polio will be eradicated, if trends continue, we could see the last case of polio anywhere this coming summer.
 
In 1985, we had 350,000 cases per year.  So far in 2015, we have had 51.
 
Once polio is gone and we no longer have to vaccinate for it, the world will have time, energy and resources for other projects.  The best 10 years for Rotary and Rotarians are the 10 years at our doorstep.
 
Roger Crysler
Polio Eradication Coordinator
Rotary Club of Ancaster