The Rotary Club of Demerara is inviting the public to “fund the fight” against polio and to join its 27 years-long mission to eradicate the disease. World Polio Day was celebrated yesterday.
“Since 1985, Rotary has contributed nearly $1.2 billion and countless volunteer hours to the protection of more than two billion children in 122 countries,” the Club said in a press release.
The disease remains endemic in three countries: Afghanistan, Nigeria, and Pakistan — although other countries remain at risk for imported cases.
According to the Mayo Clinic, poliomyelitis or polio is a contagious viral illness that in its most severe form causes paralysis, difficulty breathing and in some cases death. Since there is no cure, the best protection is prevention. For as little as US60 cents, a child can be given a vaccine and be inoculated against this crippling disease for life.
Dr Robert Murphy, director of North Western’s Center for Global Health, said that polio eradication “is completely doable.
It will result in preventing billions of cases of paralysis and death, saving billions of dollars, assuring that no parent in the world will have to worry about this terrible disease ever again.”
More recently, the initiative has benefited from the tremendous support of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Every dollar raised by Rotary clubs for polio eradication is matched two-for-one by the Foundation up to $35 million per year. \Make history and donate to the endgame.
President of the Rotary Club of Demerara Gillian Mohabeer encourages the public to “Fund the fight and join history.” Donations can be made to the Club’s Republic Bank Account No. 652-621-4, or persons can contact Secretary Renata Chuck-A-Sang (691-0442) or Treasurer Lance Hinds (684-4831, 225-6027).
