PUSHING POLIO TO THE BRINK OF ERADICATION
Rotary clubs take on $200 million challenge from the Gates Foundation
In response to the funding crisis, Rotary eagerly accepted a US$355 million challenge grant from the Gates Foundation, which Rotary will match with an additional US$200 million over three years, raising a much needed US$555 million, all of it dedicated to polio eradication.
Rotary clubs here and around the world are determined to do whatever it takes to achieve a world free of the crippling disease polio. A major part of that effort is to raise $200 million in response to a challenge grant of $355 million from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
So far, Rotary has contributed $800 million to the cause, not to mention countless volunteer hours logged by Rotary members.
However, a major funding gap now faces the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, of which Rotary is a spearheading partner (along with the World Health Organization, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and UNICEF). Twenty years of steady progress is at stake, and polio -- now on the ropes -- stands to stage a dangerous comeback unless the funding gap is bridged.
Although the polio epidemic may be a distant memory to many-- cases have been slashed by 99 percent worldwide -- it still threatens children in parts of Africa and South Asia.
Rotary’s worldwide membership of 1.2 million men and women -- representing about 33,000 clubs in nearly 200 countries -- immediately embraced the effort by digging deeper into their own pockets, planning special fundraisers and rallying community support. Rotary invites everyone who wants to learn more about this historic opportunity to end polio once and for all.
Donate online or Call 1300 4 POLIO (76546) and give $8.80 to help in the fight to End Polio Now
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