'Thanks for Life' & Eradication of Polio

Since 1985, Rotary International has been at the forefront of Polio Eradication. It is perhaps not surprising that many people, and not just those in the UK, have neither heard of polio, or know what is means to those who get it. It was eradicated in this country, Europe and America many years ago, and now occurs in just four Countries; Nigeria, India, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

So what is it? The correct or full name is Poliomyelitis, often called polio or infantile paralysis. It is an acute viral infectious disease spread easily and rapidly from person to person. It is a crippling and potentially fatal disease and strikes children, mainly under the age of five. Polio can cause paralysis and sometimes death. There is no cure and the only protection is prevention by taking vaccine.

Millions of pounds have been raised by Rotarians in an attempt to eradicate this disease completely and recently Bill Gates was so enamoured with the efforts being made, that he issued a challenge! Raise $100 million worldwide and I'll match it. So impressed was he with the money raised that he upped the stakes. Raise $200 million and I'll put in a further $255 million. That makes a staggering $555M and Rotary have committed to raising their $200M by June 2012. He takes personal involvement in the campaign and has this year visited India to take part in a National Innunisation Day, giving vaccine drops to many young babies and children.

If polio is not eradicated, we will all continue to live under the threat of this dreadful disease, the world's greatest cause of disability.

Rotarians in Great Britain also provide 'Shelter Boxes' for areas of the world hit by natural disasters, help to dig proper wells for clean drinking water for some of the poorer countries and provide many other forms of humanitarian aid.

The 'Thanks for Life' campaign hopes to make people more aware of the work Rotary is doing and in February 2010, which coincides with 105 years of Rotary. There will be a 'Shop Window' of information in Felixstowe for all to see and it is hoped, become involved with us on however small a scale. Together we CAN move mountains. To see the 'Humanity in Motion' videos, click here.