October 24- World Polio Day

Why is today special? October 24th is World Polio Day. While younger Rotarians may not have personal memories of the ravages of this disease, a conversation I had this morning reminded me of the nearness of its devastation. I had the pleasure of sitting next to Sam Feitelberg's wife Gail who told me heartbreaking stories of how Sam was intimately involved fighting this dreaded disease in the early part of their marriage.

Thanks in large part to the efforts of Rotary, the reported cases of polio have dropped by 99%, but it isn't eradicated yet. Afghanistan, Nigeria, Pakistan and parts of India continue to fight the battle. The last 1% are the most difficult to reach and yet no child is safe until this is done. Rotary is "this close" to making polio the second human disease (after smallpox) to be eradicated, but we need your help. Rotary International has committed to raising an additional $75 million over the next three years. 

"Rotary continues to be the heart and soul of polio eradication, supporting the program directly while also taking on a larger role in encouraging other donors to give more."  Bill Gates

Please consider making a generous donation to The Rotary Foundation in support of this project. You can go online to donate at www.endpolionow.org or make a check payable to "The Rotary Foundation" and bring it to the next meeting.