You can donate to polio eradication as an individual Rotarian

By Carl Good III
 
As a district, we are behind last year’s Polio Plus donation rate. We need individuals as well as clubs to help us exceed our 2016 performance.
 
As Rotarians, we know the tremendous success of the Rotary effort to reduce suffering from polio around the world. You have heard many times that we are very close to eradication of this debilitating disease. While we donate through our clubs, we can also help as individuals. 
 
When you donate to Polio Plus, you receive a Paul Harris credit. In addition, your club and our district get credit, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation contributes $2 for each $1 donated.  
 
For The Rotary Foundation Donation Form, with the “Individual” and “Polio Plus Fund” boxes highlighted, click here
 
Please feel free to contact me for help with your donation, at carlgood@yahoo.com.
 
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.
 
 
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 filmsclick here.
 
To watch the video of World Polio Day in Atlantaclick here.
 
If you are had an event for World Polio Day (or Week), 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.