Dublin Rotary Working to Wipe Out Polio

Information from Janine Thalblum, President of the Dublin Rotary—

Last week Dublin Rotary received a proclamation at the City Council Meeting announcing October 24th as "World Polio Day" in the City of Dublin. 

It is a positive initiative to create awareness and educate the citizens of Dublin about the vital importance to eradicate Polio worldwide.  Rotary brings over 108 years of history to this initiative. 

Its members are business, professional and community leaders who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards, and help build goodwill and peace in the world.  The Dublin Rotary Club is one of over 32,000 Rotary clubs located in more than 200 countries and geographical areas, that initiate service projects to address today's challenges, including illiteracy, disease, hunger, poverty, lack of clean water, and environmental concerns. 

When Rotary began its mission to eradicate polio, more than 350,000 children were stricken with polio every year, and nearly 1,000 people were affected by the crippling disease every day.  In 1988, there were over 125 polio-endemic countries.  Today, only three countries - Afghanistan, Nigeria, and Pakistan - remain polio-endemic, due to the efforts of Rotary and its partners.  The world is on the threshold of ending polio forever - which will make it only the second disease after smallpox to be eradicated. 

To date, Rotary has contributed more than US $1.2 billion and countless volunteer hours to help immunize more than two billion children against polio in 122 countries.  Currently, Rotary is working to raise $35 million per year through 2018 for polio eradication, which will be match 2 to 1 by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

These funds will provide critical support to polio eradication activities that is spearheaded by Rotary International and its partners, the World Health Organization, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and UNICEF.  Rotary will contribute the funds through grants to WHO and UNICEF. 

The Dublin Rotary Club initiative is one more community effort to invite the citizens of Dublin to support Rotary's goal.  The world stands firmly on the threshold of victory thanks to the achievements of the last 25 years.  A polio-free world will be Rotary's ultimate fight to children everywhere, World Polio Day, October 24th is one small step in helping Rotary achieve its goal. 

Anyone interested in joining Rotary can contact visit our website at www.rotarydublin.org.  The Rotary meets every Tuesday for lunch at the Dublin Ranch Golf Course Restaurant at 12:15pm.  Anyone interested in donating toward the cause can contact Janine Thalblum at: j.thalblum@comcast.net