Polio (poliomyelitis) is a paralyzing and potentially deadly infectious disease that most commonly affects children under the age of 5. The virus spreads from person to person, typically through contaminated water. It can then attack the nervous system. Rotary has been working to eradicate polio for more than 35 years. Our goal of ridding the world of this disease is closer than ever.
On World Polio Day, October 24th, a group of Rotarians and friends of various ages participated in the annual Walk for Polio, starting at City Hall, where Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim and Vancouver Councillors Lisa Dominato, Lenny Zhou and Pete Fry, presented the City's Proclamation in support of the worldwide day to mark the success, but journey ahead, in ridding the world of polio. -- photos by Ken Choy, Rotaract Club of Richmond
Rotary Club of New Westminster Royal City Rotary and Rotaract members (college, university students and young professionals) received a Proclamation in support of World Polio Day, read at the New Westminster City Council Meeting on October 21st. Rotaract members in Prince George held a Pints for Polio Fundraiser on October 26th, serving a Purple Non Alcoholic Drink. Purple is the colour of the dye applied to the baby finger of a child to indicate that they have received polio vaccination.
video produced by Rotaract Club of Richmond
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Vancouver Mayor Ken Simm presents the City's Proclamation in support of World Polio Day to Rotary District 5040 Governor Drew Antrobus | (l to r) Vancouver City Councillors Lenny Zhou, Pete Fry and Lisa Dominato read the City's Proclamation as District Governor Drew Antrobus listens |
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Vancouver Area Rotary, Rotaract (college, university students and young professionals), and Interact (high school) Club members, gathered with friends at Vancouver City Hall to start the Polio Walk through the city to Science World where the lights were featured in Red and Purple to recognize Rotary World Polio Day.
Rotary is a founding partner of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, which has reduced polio cases by 99.9 percent since Rotary initiated the first project in the global campaign by vaccinating children in the Philippines in 1979.
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Video clip of walk group at end of event at Science World.
Rotary members have contributed more than $2.1 billion and countless volunteer hours to protect nearly 3 billion children in 122 countries from this paralyzing disease. Rotary’s advocacy efforts have played a role in decisions by governments to contribute more than $10 billion to the effort.
Today, polio remains endemic only in Afghanistan and Pakistan. But it’s crucial to continue working to keep other countries polio-free. If all eradication efforts stopped today, within 10 years, polio could paralyze as many as 200,000 children each year.