“Congratulations”  to all who helped in meeting the challenge offered by District 7090 Honorary Rotarian Thie Convery.  As you will recall, Thie offered to donate $25,000 to the Polio Plus campaign if District 7090 could raise the same dollar donation by 12/31/19.  We did it and on very short notice. Thanks to all who met the challenge.  Donations were made by clubs and individuals. Individual donations were given by Rotarians, non-Rotarians, former Rotarians, and guest speakers.  What a tremendous effort!

 

Rotary International has been involved in efforts to eradicate polio in the world for over 30 years. It has taken longer than expected to achieve our goal because of political, geographic, and financial issues, but we are close to complete eradication.  Only two countries have currently had cases of wild poliovirus, Type 1; hence the urgency to complete our task.  Unfortunately, cases are still being reported in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Polio is a life-threatening and devastating disease with compounded effects in later life. Donor countries and philanthropists pledged $2.6 billion in November to complete the “last mile” of polio eradication. Polio Plus efforts include not only immunization efforts but extended efforts in surveillance, employment of local people to assist in the effort, contract tracing, microplanning, education, and attention to other co-existing diseases.

 

As Rotarians we made a promise to the children of the world that we would not stop until polio was eradicated and we intend to keep this promise with your continued support.

 

Sincerely,

Sandi Chard, Chair and Pat Castiglia, Vice-Chair

Rotary District 7090 Polio Plus (End Polio Now)