Red Wing Rotary fighting to end polio
As part of Rotary International's pledge to match, dollar for dollar, a $100 million challenge grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation over three years, Red Wing Rotary President Clare Pavelka participated in a Rotary International District 5960 event in Oakdale, Minn.
- PHOTO: Clare Pavelka
As part of Rotary International's pledge to match, dollar for dollar, a $100 million challenge grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation over three years, Red Wing Rotary President Clare Pavelka participated in a Rotary International District 5960 event in Oakdale, Minn. The event raised more than $70,000, most of which will be used for the eradication of polio.
"Twenty years ago, this club participated in a pledge to end this crippling and potentially fatal disease once and for all. As we stand on the brink of victory, we will do everything within out power to fulfill this promise to the children of the world," Pavelka said.
Since 1988, the number of polio cases has been reduced from 350,000 a year to 1,315 in 2007. Today, 70 percent of the world's population lives in polio-free countries. The Americas were declared free from polio in 1994.
Four countries continue to grapple to control the disease that dramatically affects children 5 and younger: Afghanistan, India, Pakistan and Nigeria. While polio cannot be cured, it can be prevented by immunizing children.
Local Rotarians plan to continue this eradication initiative.
To learn, visit www.rotary.org/endpolio.
Tags: red wing rotary, community, polio, eradication
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