Polio Update - March

Polio Update

As you know, we keep getting closer to ending polio: 359 cases in 2014, 74 cases in 2015, and 37 cases last year. The good news is that there are only three case so far this year; two in Afghanistan and one in Pakistan. Unfortunately, more cases occur during the warm months, so we will have to wait to see what the summer brings.

Last weekend, I heard Rotary General Secretary John Hewko speak, and the first item on his agenda was ending polio and how is not the time to slacken our efforts. In fact, it is the time to redouble them. The Gates match is still there, two dollars for every dollar donated by a Rotarian. But right now there is a one billion dollar funding gap in terms of what is needed, so please make a donation to Polio Plus and if you have already done so, consider giving again.

It was also announced recently that Bill Gates will be a featured speaker at the Atlanta Rotary Convention in June. If you are sitting on the fence as to whether or not to register, that's another good reason to do so. Help celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Rotary Foundation.

Finally, you may remember that the Portland Sunrise Rotary Club sponsored a road race last fall in conjunction with World Polio Day. The results are in and the club raised $600 for End Polio Now. They plan on doing it again next year and hopefully it will be bigger and better. Congratulations to all involved.