Polio Plus Update - February 21, 2017
long way to go to meet our goal of $38,000
By Carl Good III
So far during Rotary year 2016-2017, which began last July 1, District 7910 has raised $16,485.91 in Polio Plus donations versus $24,078.00 at this time last year. Most of the difference is due to an individual donation from a member of the Rotary Club of Worcester. Thanks very much to the clubs and individuals who have donated to date. We have a long way to go to meet our goal of $38,000.00. Individual donations are very welcome.
Here are the forms, in PDF format, for club donations and individual donations.
- For The Rotary Foundation Donation Form, with the “Rotary Club” and “Polio Plus Fund” boxes highlighted, click here.
- For The Rotary Foundation Donation Form, with the “Individual” and “Polio Plus Fund” boxes highlighted, click here.
Polio science keeps advancing. Read the article, below, that describes how to eliminate the necessity of growing the virus to make a vaccine. This new process minimizes the possibility of inadvertent release of the virus into the environment and simplifies vaccine production.
Toward a virus-free polio vaccine
Researchers are developing polio vaccines based on the viral capsid, alone. When produced in recombinant systems, these vaccines could eliminate the need to propagate live poliovirus for vaccine production. To learn more, click here.
Worth a listen
A recent science podcast interviewed Dr. Jay Wenger, MD (shown, right), director of polio-eradication efforts of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. It is one of the best descriptions of the program that I have heard – and is worth a listen.
Dr. Wenger discusses the history of wild poliovirus, including its devastating medical effects as well as the 
incredible success of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. (Oral polio vaccination has reduced cases around the world by 99.9 percent since 1988.) In addition, they focus on new cases in Nigeria, and why it is more important than ever to focus on final eradication efforts. To support the End Polio Now effort, click here.
incredible success of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. (Oral polio vaccination has reduced cases around the world by 99.9 percent since 1988.) In addition, they focus on new cases in Nigeria, and why it is more important than ever to focus on final eradication efforts. To support the End Polio Now effort, click here.Virtual-reality films bring a new dimension to polio fight
At this year’s World Polio Day celebration in Atlanta, Rotary harnessed the power of virtual-reality technology to build empathy and inspire action in our fight to eradicate polio.
Learn more about the films, click here.
To watch the video of World Polio Day in Atlanta, click here.
If you are had an event for World Polio Day (or Week) last fall, please send me a brief description. We are keeping track of the events.
Carl Good III, chair of the District Polio Subcommittee, may be reached at carlgood@yahoo.com.
