Rotary Corner: How we are winning the fight against polio

Our goal of ridding the world of this disease is closer than ever. We have reduced polio cases by 99.9% since our first project to vaccinate children in the Philippines in 1979.

Rotary members have contributed more than $2.9 billion and they have also secured an additional $11 billion from global governments to support End Polio Now.

Volunteers have contributed countless hours to protect nearly 3 billion children in 122 countries from this paralysing disease.

Today polio remains endemic in Afghanistan and Pakistan with just 41 cases - a reduction of 23, which is good news.

After a massive immunisation programme in Gaza last year, there are now no reported cases of polio there. It is crucial to continue the fight against this paralysing disease in order that it does not rear its ugly head again in more countries. It is estimated that if all eradication efforts stopped today, within 10 years polio could paralyse as many as 200,000 children each year. The annual cost to protect a child from polio is $3 (approximately £2.48 , less than the price of a cup of coffee!).

The Rotary Club of Peterborough Ortons will be holding their annual Flight For Life virtual pigeon race, which they did last year, raising £400 to support polio eradication, in order for Rotary’s campaign to reach more children and protect them from this disease.

Local Rotary clubs throughout our District are highlighting the need to end polio now by planting purple crocus bulbs in notable places, as well as illuminating significant buildings in a purple light. Purple crocuses have been planted over the years at Peterborough Cathedral and Thorpe Hall Hospice in Longthorpe. The reason the colour is purple is because when a child is immunised with the polio vaccine, their small finger

is painted purple to show that they have received the life-saving vaccine.

If you would like to donate towards End Polio Now, then please look at www.rotarygbi.org.