Polio Plus Update

POLIO PLUS REPORT The drive by Rotary International to end polio began in 1985. At that time, it seemed almost impossible to achieve, but Rotarians weren't afraid of the challenge. Since then, over 2 billion children have received the oral polio vaccine, and polio in the world has been reduced to 1,006 cases in four countries this last year. The countries that still have cases can be remembered by the acronym PAIN: Pakistan, Afghanistan, India, and Nigeria. On January 21, 2009, Bill Gates announced a 255 million dollar matching grant for Rotary's mission. Combined with an earlier grant, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has granted $355 million dollars to Rotary for the eradication of polio. The $100 million grant made earlier was a 3 to 1, 2 to 1, and 1 to 1 matching plan over three years. This latest $255 million grant has been given outright to Rotary, which will be using $100 million in the coming year to immunize and organize in the four countries still affected.. RI is charged with raising $200 million by June 30, 2012. We are already halfway to that target. Coinciding with Bill Gates' latest announcement, the British and German governments pledged $280 million to end polio. The U.S. public sector giving to the fight against polio tops 1.6 billion dollars in the last 20 years. Fundraising is going on all over the world. Google has pledged 3.1 million, and many other businesses and individuals have done their part, with Rotarians again taking the lead. In District 1240 (Essex and Hertfordshire, England) the Purple Pinkie fund drive was launched over a week last February and March in towns and villages in the district. It was named for the purple dye that is painted on a child's little finger after immunization. After the week's round of activities, $28,600 was raised in District 1240. My favorite example is a little closer to home. In September, I challenged our club to join me in writing a check to Rotary Foundation in support of polio plus. Two months later, I am overwhelmed by your response to Ginny's Challenge and very grateful to announce that as of today, November 12, 2009, The Rotary Club of Flushing, Michigan has raised $4,232 to help defeat polio forever. Over 80% of the club's members stepped up and made this happen. My thanks to Sam and Gracie Harris, who really know how to throw a party, to Rick Merrill, who secured the $1,000 matching grant for the club, to Dave Bennett, for his assistance and enthusiasm, to President John Cote, who let me run with this particular ball, to Kathy Merrill, who helped provide the great food Friday night, and each and every one of my fellow Rotarians, who by their monetary contributions, moral support, and attendance at Sam's Chili for a Cause Party made this all happen. I must also thank the non-Rotarian friends who, through their contributions and silent auction donations, were a great help in reaching and then surpassing our original goal of $2,500. I started out down this road, thinking I would lead the way, but soon found many of you way ahead of me in both your contributions and your dedication. I thank you all. It was a privilege to work on this project. Flushing Rotary is a great place to be! Ginny Myers