Since Rotary launched its PolicyPlus program in 1985 it has contributed more than $1.7 billion and countless volunteer hours to immunize more than 2.5 billion children in 122 countries. The poliovirus, which primarily affect children under five, invades the nervous system and can cause total paralysis in a matter of hours. Polio is incurable, but completely vaccine-preventable. Only 11 new cases of polio caused by wild poliovirus have been reported this year, all in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
At the 2017 Rotary International Convention in Atlanta, Bill Gates renewed and increased his foundation’s pledge to match, 2-to-1, all contributions to The Rotary Foundation that are designated for polio eradication efforts which means THIS IS THE YEAR TO DONATE! This year's World Polio Day, hosted by the Gates Foundation, will attempt to raise $250,000. Last year, Rotarians in more than 90 countries registered over 1,400 events and fundraisers to mark World Polio Day in their communities and draw attention to Rotary’s leadership in the fight against polio.