Polio Eradication Newsletter
Fulfilling Our Promise:  Eradicate Polio
February/March, 2003

  Update on the Polio Virus

Although final statistics will not be available for another month, so far, over 1,700 cases of polio were reported for 2002 – an increase from 2001.  However, over 90% of the cases came from outbreaks in India and Nigeria.  These outbreaks are being addressed with stepped up immunization activities.

  The good news is that polio continues to be confined geographically.  Even within India and Nigeria, fewer states are reporting polio.  Also, the number of countries reporting polio has dropped from 10 last year to 9 this year.  2 of the 9 were cases of importation (meaning that the virus did not originate in that country), therefore, only 7 countries have reported endemic cases.

  One of the countries to suffer an importation was Burkina Faso (northwest of Nigeria).  Previously, they had not reported a case of polio for a few years.  This is yet another example of how easily the virus can spread if we do not actively and aggressively eradicate polio entirely.

  March is “March on Polio Month”

Rotary International has declared March “March on Polio Month.”  This theme gives us a good way to inform the general public about Rotary’s Polio Eradication Campaign.  In keeping with this theme, a 90-second video is being shown on all United Airlines flights during March that points the viewer to the advertisement in the Hemispheres magazine in the seat pocket.  The ad gives the web page and an 800 number for the reader to send in donations.  This video is also available to all clubs.  In addition, many newspapers have reported the campaign.  If you haven’t contacted your local paper, please do so soon. 

  Chaska Rotary begins “Phase II” of the PE Campaign

The Chaska Rotary Club has already exceeded their goal of $56,000 ($750 per member) through personal pledges from 100% of their members.  Now they are beginning “Phase Two.”  After a Rotarian spoke at the high school, the “Learning Thru Service” class at Chaska High School set a PE fundraising goal of $1,000, which will be matched by the International Club - for a total of $2,000.  The class will raise money and increase community awareness by selling unique T-shirts that say “Giving Peace a Chance,” holding a dance for the Middle Schoolers, and placing specially-designed canisters to collect change at local businesses with the logo “10 Cents Makes World Sense.”

  Club commitments soar – We’re Almost There!

51 of our 57 clubs have submitted Club Commitment Forms totaling $ 978,853!

This includes a $90,000 gift from a member of Minneapolis #9 Rotary Club.

  Please send in all cash or checks for the PE Campaign to RI as soon as possible. Do not hold them in your club.  Money is needed to purchase vaccine NOW.

 

What your Contribution can do:               

●  $100 buys 1,000 doses of vaccine for children in Burkina Faso

●  $500 buys boxes to keep the vaccine cold during transport

●  $1,000 buys enough vaccine to fully vaccinate 1,666 children in India

●  $10,000 will buy 6 refrigerators & freezers to maintain correct vaccine temperature        

●  $20,000 will buy a 4x4 vehicle to deliver vaccine and conduct surveillance in remote villages

 

“Thank you, Rotarians, for recognizing that a world without polio is possible.  You have been the catalyst for the world to accept and carry out the challenge of eradicating polio from the earth.”

                        - William Gates, Sr., Director of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation