Humble Rotary recognizes World Polio Day
Posted by Eric Lavezzari on Oct 29, 2016
Humble Rotary recognizes World Polio Day
Friday, October 28, 2016
Community Reports
Pam McNair, president of the Humble Rotary, listens as Mayor Merle Aaron speaks on the club's efforts toward polio eradication.
Humble Mayor Merle Aaron presented a proclamation to The Rotary Club of Humble recognizing World Polio Day that is being observed around the world. Aaron recognized that Rotary International initiated PolioPlus in 1985 and spearheaded the Global Polio Eradication with the World Health Organization, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and UNICEF to immunize children of the world against polio.
He recognized that polio cases have dropped by 99 percent since 1988 and the world is very close to eradicating polio. It would be the second disease to be eradicated. Rotary International has contributed more than $1 billion and countless volunteer hours for the protection of more than 2.5 billion children in 122 countries. Members of the Rotary Club of Humble have personally donated more than $36,000 for this initiative. The cost of the vaccine, which was developed by Dr Jonas Salk, is as low as 60 cents per child for a lifetime of protection.
Aaron also recognized that Rotary is currently working to raise an additional $200 million toward a $355 million challenge grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; and that these efforts are providing much needed operational support, medical personnel, laboratory equipment and educational materials for health workers and parents.
The Mayor recognized that Rotary clubs around the world sponsor service projects to address such critical issues as poverty, health, hunger, illiteracy, and the environment in their local communities, and abroad.
Aaron concluded by proclaiming that Oct. 24 was recognized as World Polio Day and encouraged citizens to support Rotary International in the fight for a polio-free world. World Polio Day, Oct. 24 is recognized each year to honor Dr. Jonas Salk, developer of the polio vaccine. He refused to patent the vaccine as merely wished to see the vaccine disseminated as widely as possible.
The community can participate in helping to eradicate polio, which is endemic in only three countries, by going to the web site endpolio.org and making a donation.