PolioPlus and PolioPlus Partners

 

In 1985, Rotary International promised the children of the world that they would eradicate Polio from the planet.   Rotary International and Rotarians accepted that challenge and conducted a massive fund raising effort during 1987 and raised $219 million.  During 1988 in 125 countries in the world which were considered Poliovirus endemic, 1,000 children a day were stricken by the Poliovirus which totaled about 350,000 children annually.

 

Vaccinations easily can stave off polio. Vaccinations have prevented an estimated 500,000 children per year from contracting polio. A child can be protected against polio for as little as 60 cents (US) worth of vaccine.

 

Rotary International is the spearheading member of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative and is the largest private sector donor. It has contributed more than US$600 million to the polio eradication activities in 122 countries. In addition, tens of thousands of Rotarians have partnered with their national ministries of health, UNICEF, the World Health Organization, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and with health providers at the grassroots level in thousands of communities. We were joined by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation who currently are matching every dollar given by Rotarians with $2.00 US to eradicate Polio.
 

PolioPlus Society: In 2022 our District added the PolioPlus Society to our giving structure. Rotarians pledge to help Rotary make history by continuing to contribute a minimum of $100 each year until the World Health Organization certifies that polio has been fully eradicated; because until the world is polio-free, every child is at risk.  If you want to join this fight, the sign up form is on the left.

 

Since 1987, District 6000 Rotarians have made significant monetary contributions and many Rotarians have participated in National Immunization Days.   Anyone interested in participating in a future NIDs should contact the PolioPlus Office at The Rotary Foundation in Evanston, IL.