Rotary Club of Chattanooga Hamilton Place with the sign END POLIO NOW
Rotary members in Chattanooga are among millions reaching out on World Polio Day, Tuesday, to raise awareness and support to end polio – a vaccine preventable disease that still threatens children in parts of the world today.
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. To sustain this progress, and protect all children from polio, Rotary has committed to raising $50 million per year over the next three years in support of global polio eradication efforts. 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, said officials.
Rotary has contributed more than $1.7 billion to ending polio since 1985 including contributions from local Rotary clubs across the community.