WORLD POLIO DAY
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Ending Polio
Rotary has been working to eradicate polio for more than 35 years. Our goal of ridding the world of this disease is closer than ever.
Polio, or poliomyelitis, is a paralyzing and potentially deadly infectious disease that most commonly affects children under the age of 5. The virus spreads from person to person, typically through contaminated water. It can then attack the nervous system.
24th October is World Polio Day, when Rotary clubs across the world will be celebrating how we've almost totally eradicated polio since we started vaccinating children over 30 years ago.
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In those days more than 350,000 children in 125 countries were infected each year but now, thanks to Rotary, only two countries (Pakistan and Afghanistan) still have a handful of cases. However, we need to keep vaccinating babies to prevent the disease from recurring, so Rotarians will be out fundraising over the next couple of weeks.
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It costs just 20p to vaccinate a child.
Every £1 that is donated to Rotary is made up to £3 by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, meaning that 15 young lives will be saved from this awful disease which paralyses or kills mainly young children.
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Rotarians will be collecting donations at the Welcome store in Bembridge on the 29th October.
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The Rotary
Rotary is the biggest service organisation in the world, made up of people from all walks of life who are dedicated to making a difference to others throughout the world, promoting all that is good in our society.
Our motto is “service above self” and we promote worldwide peace through our commitment to SERVICE, FELLOWSHIP, DIVERSITY, INTEGRITY AND LEADERSHIP.
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