Since 1985, Rotary International has worked tirelessly to immunize more than 2 billion children worldwide against the crippling Polio virus. Today, we are close to achieving our goal with only 3 remaining endemic countries (Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria) and fewer than 12 cases reported worldwide year-to-date.
Rotarian volunteers worldwide have contributed billions of dollars and countless hours of service to reach children worldwide. The PolioPlus program began as one Rotarian’s vision to immunize the children in the Philippines; today we partner with the Center for Disease Control, World Health Organization, and Governments worldwide. Additionally, we have the financial support of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Currently, the Gates Foundation is matching each dollar contributed to PolioPlus 2:1.
On November 18, I will join my fellow Rotary staff members and Rotarians from around the world in Tucson, Arizona for the 3rd consecutive year to raise funds for Rotary’s Polio Plus program by participating in Rotary’s Miles to End Polio. I will tackle the El Tour de Tucson, the largest cycling event in the nation-a single-day, 100 mile bike ride. In 2016, the ride raised $11.3 million including the generous match from the Gates Foundation. Since its inception in 2009, Miles to End Polio has generated $36 million for Rotary’s efforts to End Polio Now, enough money to purchase tens of millions of vaccinations, protecting countless children worldwide from this crippling disease.
While the U.S. has been polio-free since 1979, polio remains a threat to every child who is not immunized. I have set a personal fundraising goal of $100,000. Your support will bring us one step closer to a Polio Free World.
Online Contributions The easiest way to contribute and receive a tax receipt is to donate online through my Fundraising Page. My personal fundraising page link is: http://bit.ly/2zLppo2
Your generous gift will be added to my personal fundraising total and you will have the satisfaction of knowing that your contribution will help to eradicate polio forever.
Thank you for helping to end polio in our world!
