Posted by Linda Johnson

HOSPITAL LIGHTS FOR POLIO

In a partnership to bring attention to ending polio around the world, UPMC Chautauqua WCA and the Rotary Club Of Greater Jamestown AM joined together to raise awareness.  In recognition of World Polio Day on October 24, UPMC Chautauqua WCA illuminated the front of the hospital in a symbolic blue to raise awareness about the importance to end polio and prevent illness. 
 
Pictured are several of the Greater Jamestown AM Rotarians along with hospital leadership at the front entrance of UPMC Chautauqua WCA.
 
On Tuesday, October 24, Rotarians, health experts, and partners came together for the 5th annual World Polio Day, co-hosted with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.  At 2:30 p.m. PDT (21:30 GMT), there was a live stream from Gates Foundation headquarters in Seattle which brought together more than 100,000 viewers around the world as health experts and celebrities shared the progress on the road to end polio.  To view the live stream visit, https://www.endpolio.org/world-polio-day.
 
“We come together in support of a common mission—to ensure healthy lives and promote the well-being for all individuals in the world we live in,” said Betsy T. Wright, president UPMC Chautauqua WCA.  “As Rotarians and health experts come together on October 24 to end polio, we celebrate their amazing contributions to eradicate polio and improve the lives of both domestic and international communities.”
 
Poliomyelitis is a highly infectious disease that most commonly affects children under the age of five.  Most know it as poliovirus.  The virus is spread person to person, typically through contaminated water.  It can attack the nervous system, and in some instances, lead to paralysis.  Although there is no cure, there is a safe and effective vaccine – one which Rotary and its partners use to immunize over 2.5 billion children world wide.
 
Steve Hayes, Greater A.M. Jamestown Rotary Club president says that since 1985, Rotary and its partners have helped reduce the number of cases from 350,000 annually to fewer than 400 in 2014 and to only 12 year to date October 24 in 2017.  “Until this disease is eradicated, Rotarians and its partners remain committed to end polio,” said Steve.  “Disease does not prevent itself.  We must educate and equip communities to stop the spread of life-threatening diseases.  Rotary members around the world have hundreds of health projects underway around the world at any given time including but not limited to, providing clean water, reducing HIV infection, prevention, and this ending polio.  We are excited to partner with UPMC Chautauqua WCA who believes as we do, that good health is everyone’s right.”