Local Rotary Club supports World Polio Day

Local Rotary Club Supports World Polio Day

The Rotary Club of South Foreland is joining thousands of other Rotary clubs around the world in supporting World Polio Day on 24^th October.  Rotary members throughout Great Britain and Ireland are holding Purple for Polio events to raise awareness and donations for the Rotary campaign to End Polio Now and forever.

The Rotary organisation has been a leading world player in the initiative to end polio.  Since the Global Polio Eradication Initiative was launched in 1988 the incidence of polio has fallen from 350,000 cases to only 22 in 2017.  Then it was endemic in 125 countries but now in only 3 countries: Afganistan, Pakistan and Nigeria.  While great progress has been made the final steps to eradication are the most difficult: there have been 14 cases so far this year but not until three years have passes from the last occurring case will the world be finally certified as being polio free.

Rotarians are so determined to end polio as it is a terrible disease, crippling and potentially deadly, especially for children under 5.  There is no cure so vaccination is vital to protect children and stop the disease spreading.  It is estimated that over 2 billion doses of oral polio vaccine will have to be administered every year in over 60 countries to complete the eradication, so continued fund raising is vital.

When a child receives the life saving polio drops their little finger is painted with a purple dye to show that they have been vaccinated.  That is why the purple crocus has become a symbol of Rotary’s fight to end polio.  Members of South Foreland will be planting 5,000 crocus bulbs at a local venue, as well as marking World Polio Day with a presentation by John Dunkley ( who has been involved with Purple for Polio since it began) at the Marina Hotel on World Polio Day.  It is planned to illuminate the façade of the Hotel with purple lighting and for members to wear some item of purple attire.