The world is extremely close to making history by eliminating one of the world’s most devastating diseases: polio.

The global effort to eradicate polio demonstrates the tremendous impact of immunizations. The number of new polio cases, a disease that once paralyzed more than 1,000 children every day, has dropped more than 99 percent since the 1980s.

There are fewer cases in fewer places than ever before, and only three countries

(Nigeria, Afghanistan and Pakistan) have never stopped transmission of the wild polio virus.

However, a funding gap means immunization campaigns are being cut in high-risk countries, leaving children more vulnerable to polio. If polio isn’t stopped now, the disease could stage a comeback, affecting an estimated 200,000 children every year.

Rotary, a humanitarian service organization with nearly 34,000 clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas, made polio eradication its top priority in 1985. Rotary has since contributed US$1.2 billion, and its members have logged countless volunteer hours to help immunize more than two billion children in 122 countries.

If polio can be eliminated from the planet, dozens of other diseases could follow and also be eliminated. This is a historic moment, and one that is meaningful to people – especially children – the world over.

As the world stands on the verge of victory over polio, it is important to recognize that amazing things can happen when forces join together for a common good. Join the fight to end polio now, by visiting www.endpolionow.org

Join the Rotary Club on October 24th  in front of the Osoyoos Elementary School at 8:00 AM.

From there the group will walk down Main Street.

For more information please contact Dennis Smithers, President of the Osoyoos Rotary Club at dennis@mesa-paz.com or 250.408.9898