Organisation aims to eradicate polio by creating awareness on World Polio Day
By contributing to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative through a local Rotary club, everyone can assist in fighting this disease.
As the world prepares to commemorate World Polio Day, community members can help eradicate the scourge of polio.
Observed on October 24, World Polio Day highlights global efforts towards creating a polio-free world.
By contributing to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative through a local Rotary club, everyone can help fight this disease.
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The NGO Rotary International, with clubs across the globe, such as the Rotary Club of Knights Pendragon in Edenvale, has, for the past 35 years, declared war on this crippling disease.
Polio is a paralysing and potentially deadly infectious disease commonly affecting children under five.
The virus spreads from person to person, typically through contaminated water. It is known to attack a person’s nervous system.
With only two countries in the world currently not declared polio-free, namely Pakistan and Afghanistan, Rotary is extremely close to achieving its goal.
Since Rotary’s involvement in the eradication of polio, they have contributed R39 633 720 000 to the project.
This investment has seen three billion children in 122 countries treated for the disease.
Jennifer Jones, who was the Rotary International president in 2022, warned Rotarians against polio fatigue.
She emphasised that the world has never been closer to winning the battle against the disease.
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Speaking at an End Polio Now event, Jennifer said she was mindful of how Rotarians have heard over many years how close the world was to seizing victory over polio.
“We are within reach, and we must have the confidence that what we are doing is to keep our promise to the children of the world,” she said.
The Rotary Club of Knights Pendragon appealed to all community members to donate towards this international project.
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For each R18.89 ($1) the club contributes, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will contribute a further (R37.78) $2 towards taking this project to its conclusion.
For further information or to donate, contact the president Ron Smith on 083 260 2411 or John Anticevich, the project coordinator, on 082 296 4779.
