Posted by Brian Finley on Jul 14, 2018
Since 1979 Rotary has been at the forefront of the campaign to eliminate polio from the world forever.   In 1985, Rotary launched its PolioPlus program, the first initiative to tackle global polio eradication through the mass vaccination of children. Rotary has contributed more than $1.7 billion and countless volunteer hours to immunize more than 2.5 billion children in 122 countries. In addition, Rotary’s advocacy efforts have played a role in decisions by donor governments to contribute more than $7.5 billion to the effort.. Since 1988, Rotary and our partners in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative have seen the number of cases drop from 350,000 per year in 122 countries, to just 22 cases in 2 countries in 2017.
Rotary District 5040 has been and continues to be a strong supporter of the PolioPlus campaign.
Highlights for the Rotary year 2017-18 include:-
 
  1. The clubs, members, & friends of District 5040 contributed US$274,117 to PolioPlus.
  2. The District was recognized at the RI Convention 2018 in Toronto for being #10 of 540 worldwide districts in total giving to PolioPlus.
  3. Many clubs throughout the District held Polio Day or polio-related events.
  4. The tri-club event by the three Prince George clubs on Polio Day pledged over C$7,600 to PolioPlus.
  5. Richmond and Richmond Sunset sponsored the concert by the China Disabled People's Performing Art Troupe and received C$10,000 for polio.
  6. The successful Polio Walk 2018 organized by the Burnaby & NewWest area clubs raised C$10,708.
We will soon see the last polio case and be able to declare the world to be polio-free. Until then we will continue to build awareness, raise funds, and advocate for the children of the world so no child ever again suffers from this terrible disease.