Did you know that more than 10 million children will be paralyzed in the next 40 years if the world fails to eradicate polio? Polio eradication is within our grasp. But if we don’t eradicate the disease now, the risk of crippling and deadly polio outbreaks will continue to threaten the world’s children. End Polio Now.
Since PolioPlus began in 1985, Rotary’s vast network of 1.2 million members has contributed money, volunteers, and networking expertise to the polio eradication effort. Rotary’s leadership, beginning in 1985, inspired the World Health Assembly to pass a resolution to eradicate polio, which paved the way for the formation of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative in 1988.
Rotarians work to encourage both donor and polio-affected governments to commit the political and financial resources needed to eradicate polio. As of March 31, Rotarians on a larger level have raised about $117.5 million for Rotary's US $200 Million Challenge. These contributions help match $355 million in challenge grants from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
As long as polio threatens even one child anywhere in the world, children everywhere remain at risk. Learn more or donate online by visiting: rotary.org