We are “THIS CLOSE” to eradicating polio from the earth.  The Rotary Club of East Wichita participated in a Wichita metro area event on World Polio Day (October 24th) for three reasons:
  • One - to bring awareness that Polio still threatens our world,
  • Two – to celebrate the success of coming “THIS CLOSE” to eradicating this devastating disease, and
  • Three – to thank Wichita metro area Rotarians for their role in this effort.
 
Polio is a paralyzing and potentially fatal disease that still threatens children in some parts of the world. The poliovirus invades the nervous system and can cause total paralysis in a matter of hours. It can strike at any age but mainly affects children under five. Polio is incurable, but completely vaccine-preventable.
In 1985, Rotary launched its PolioPlus program, the first initiative to tackle global polio eradication through the mass vaccination of children. Rotary has contributed more than $1.6 billion and countless volunteer hours to immunize more than 2.5 billion children in 122 countries. In addition, Rotary’s advocacy efforts have played a role in decisions by donor governments to contribute more than $7.2 billion to the effort.
The Global Polio Eradication Initiative, formed in 1988, is a public-private partnership that includes Rotary, the World Health Organization, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, UNICEF, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and governments of the world. Rotary’s focus is advocacy, fundraising, volunteer recruitment and awareness-building.
Today, there are only three countries that have never stopped transmission of the wild poliovirus: Afghanistan, Nigeria and Pakistan. Less than 75 polio cases were confirmed worldwide in 2015, which is a reduction of more than 99.9 percent since the 1980s, when the world saw about 1,000 cases per day.
The polio cases represented by the remaining one percent are the most difficult to prevent, due to factors including geographical isolation, poor public infrastructure, armed conflict and cultural barriers. Until polio is eradicated, all countries remain at risk of outbreaks.
Rotarian Don Schierer, who contracted polio as a young child, told his story and more importantly, stressed the need to be vigilant so the disease doesn’t spread.  With worldwide travel and a movement to not vaccinate children, the spread of the virus could easily enter the US.
  • The East Club participated in this event with the other six Wichita metro area clubs, those being Wichita, West, Sedgwick County Sunrise, Old Town. Derby, and Andover.  Collectively, these seven clubs have committed $7,250.00, which when paired with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation 2 for 1 dollar match means that our local efforts raised $21,750.00 this year.  Should you feel moved to help in the fight to end Polio, please contact any member of our club.