Fundraising Hike for World Polio Day

by Tine Rasmussen, International Service Chair

On October 24th, thousands of Rotary and Rotaract members around the world, celebrated World Polio Day. World Polio Day was created to raise awareness, funds, and support to end polio. Polio is a disease that can be prevented by vaccines, but it is not curable. It still threatens children in parts of the world today.   

Our club contributed to this mission by hosting a fundraising hike at Great Falls National Park right outside of Washington, DC. Participants donated to the Polio Fund or the "Miles to End Polio" project via the Rotary Foundation, or towards our club to help sustain our efforts. We had a great day with beautiful weather, enjoyed nature, and learned some interesting facts about polio.
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​When Rotary and its partners launched the Global Polio Eradication Initiative more than three decades ago, polio paralyzed 1,000 children every day. Great progress against the disease has been made since then. Polio cases have dropped by 99.9 percent, from 350,000 cases in 1988 in 125 countries to 33 cases in 2018 in just two countries: Afghanistan and Pakistan. However, it’s countries that face unique challenges, including political insecurity, highly mobile populations, difficult terrain, and, in some instances, logistical barriers. Nevertheless, Rotary and Rotaract remain committed to the end. 

With polio nearly eradicated, Rotary and its partners need to sustain this progress and continue to reach every child with the polio vaccine. Without full funding and political commitment, this paralyzing disease could return to polio-free countries, putting children everywhere at risk. Rotary has contributed more than $1.9 billion and countless volunteer hours to ending polio since 1985. The organization has committed to raising US$50 million each year to support global polio eradication efforts. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has pledged to match that 2-to-1, for a total yearly contribution of $150 million.

A number of public figures and celebrities also support the fight against polio by acting as ambassadors for the case. To name a few: actress Kristen Bell, supermodel Isabeli Fontana; Nobel Peace Prize laureate Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu; action-movie star Jackie Chan. 

Learn more about World Polio Day here: https://www.endpolio.org/world-polio-day 

Thank you to Allie, Jhosse, Amanda, Vince, Elise, Tine, Landon, Yixi, Joseph, Alexander, Ilisa, and Sam for joining us for the hike, and to Michelle and Kristen for their generous donations!

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