October 24, 2017 – World Polio Day

Members of the Rotary Club of McHenry (serving the greater McHenry area) are among millions reaching out on World Polio Day, October 24^th, 2017 to raise awareness, funds and support to end polio.  A vaccine prevents this crippling and paralyzing disease that still threatens children in parts of our world today.  

 

Each of the City of McHenry and the Villages of Johnsburg, McCullom Lake, and Wonder Lake recently issued a proclamation supporting this campaign (click on the name of the City or Village to view its Proclamation); each has proclaimed Tuesday, October 24, 2017 “World Polio Day” in support of the global effort to eradicate polio.  Members of the Rotary Club of McHenry request that residents in these communities likewise honor this day and become part of this historic event.

 

Since Rotary and its partners launched the Global Polio Eradication Initiative nearly 30 years ago, the incidence of polio has plummeted by more than 99.9 percent, from about 350,000 cases a year to just 37 cases in 2016.  Since 1985, Rotary members worldwide have contributed more than $1.7 billion in our effort to eradicate polio; this includes major sums from the Rotary Club of McHenry and separately from individual Members and other community residents.  The global Initiative includes the World Health Organization, U.S. Centers for Disease Control, UNICEF, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and governments around the world.

 

To sustain this progress and protect all children from polio, Rotary has committed to raising $50 million per year over the next three years. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will match Rotary’s commitment 2:1.  Without full funding and political commitment, this paralyzing disease could return to previously polio-free countries, putting children everywhere at risk.

 

So far only one disease, smallpox, has been eradicated by vaccines, saving approximately 5 million lives annually. Polio could be next.  If you would like to participate in making a difference in the World that has only been achieved one other time (that is, the eradication of smallpox), consider making a tax deductible donation to the “Rotary Club of McHenry Charitable Foundation, Inc.” by sending your check to P.O. Box 28, McHenry, IL 60051, marked “EndPolioNOW”.  Every dollar you donate becomes three dollars (with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation matching).  Become part of this historic event – the eradication of polio.

 

For information on the Rotary Club of McHenry, click here or go to www.McHenryRotary.org. We are also on Facebook.

 

For more information, contact us at rotaryclubofmchenry@gmail.com