The Rotary Club of Lafayette-North is marking World Polio Day today.
Eradicating polio is a long-standing mission for the Rotary Club, and today at their noon meeting Lafayette North will hear from polio survivor Dr. Brent Prather. The group meets at noon at Vermilionville. Four new members will be inducted into the chapter today.
Since 1985, Rotary has contributed over $1.2 billion and countless volunteer hours to the protection of more than two billion children in 122 countries. National figures like Bill Gates, Jack Nicklaus, Desmond Tutu, and Dr. Jane Goodall have joined the fight. The disease remains endemic in only three countries -- Afghanistan, Nigeria, and Pakistan -- although other countries remain at risk for imported cases. The good news is that Nigeria is close to its third year without any cases of wild poliovirus and could be certified polio free as early as next year!
"The human race has walked on the moon and sequenced our entire genome. We have also eradicated smallpox, and now we stand in the gaze of history as we approach the eradication of only the second deadly disease in our history: Polio. I have friends who are polio survivors, and their lives and stories have had a profound effect on me. As both a doctor and a Rotarian, I treasure the opportunity before us and ask everyone to please help us win this fight" said Dr. Lawrence M. Simon, a physician and the President of the Rotary Club of Lafayette-North.
Rotary brings together a global network of volunteer leaders dedicated to tackling the world's most pressing humanitarian challenges. Rotary connects 1.2 million members of more than 34,000 Rotary clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas. Their work improves lives at both the local and international levels, from helping families in need in their own communities to working toward a polio-free world.
For more information on Polio, Rotary, or to donate to Rotary International's PolioPlus Fund , visit Rotary.org and rotarylafayettenorth.com
