Rotary Clubs of Wilmette to Mark World Polio Day Oct. 24th and Historic Progress Toward Polio-Free Planet

WILMETTE, Oct. 16, 2017 – Members of the Rotary Club of Wilmette and the Rotary Club of Wilmette Harbor are among millions reaching out on World Polio Day, Oct. 24th, to raise awareness, funds and support to end polio. A vaccine prevents this crippling and paralyzing disease that still threatens children in parts of the world today.

The Village of Wilmette just issued a proclamation supporting this campaign. And the Rotary Clubs of Wilmette honor this day.

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. Toward this end, Rotary members worldwide have contributed more than $1.7 billion to ending polio since 1985, including major sums from the Rotary Clubs of Wilmette. 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.

For information on the Rotary Clubs of Wilmette, check wilmetterotary.org or wilmetteharborrotary.org.

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