NEWS RELEASE
ROTARY CLUB OF LONGMONT TWIN PEAKS
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Rotary members in Longmont are taking action on World Polio Day and throughout the year to raise awareness, funds, and support to end polio, a vaccine-preventable disease that still threatens children in parts of the world today.
Join us for a special program
WHAT: Vaccines and the Eradication of Polio
WHO: Dr. Pat Gill, Infectious Disease Specialist
WHEN: October 22, 2020 at 12:30 pm
WHERE: Zoom presentation open to the community. Email [email protected] for the details.
When Rotary and its partners launched the Global Polio Eradication Initiative in 1988, there were 350,000 cases of polio in 125 countries every year. Rotary has made great progress against the disease since then. Today, polio cases have been reduced by 99.9 percent, and just two countries continue to report cases of wild poliovirus: Afghanistan and Pakistan. And we remain committed to the end.
With polio nearly eradicated, Rotary and its partners must sustain this progress and continue to reach every child with the polio vaccine. Without full funding and political commitment, this paralyzing disease could return to polio-free countries, putting children everywhere at risk.
Rotary has committed to raising $50 million each year to support global polio eradication efforts. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has pledged to match that 2-to-1, for a total yearly contribution of $150 million.
Dr. Gill is highly skilled in the field of infectious disease, treatment options and medication management. She has become an expert in her field with multiple speaking engagements each year and is recognized on many committees as a valuable resource for her knowledge, compassion and innovative ideas.
Rotary has contributed more than $2.1 billion to ending polio since 1985, including over $48,000 donated by the Rotary Club of Longmont Twin Peaks.
About Rotary
Rotary is a global network of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who unite and take action to create lasting change in communities around the globe. For more than 110 years, Rotary’s people of action have used their passion, energy, and intelligence to improve lives through service. From promoting literacy and peace to providing clean water and improving health care, Rotary members are always working to better the world. Visit endpolio.org to learn more about Rotary and the fight to eradicate polio.
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