Submitted by the Rotary Club

On Oct. 24, Rotary will mark World Polio Day to help raise awareness and the funding we need to reach full eradication.

Rotary has contributed more than $1.6 billion to ending polio since 1985, including $70,000 contributed by Rotary Club of San Juan Island since its formation in 2003.

Since Rotary and its partners launched the Global Polio Eradication Initiative 31 years ago, the incidence of polio has plummeted by more than 99.9 percent, from about 350,000 cases a year to 26 confirmed as of 9/16/16. To sustain this progress, and protect our children from polio, experts say $1.5 billion is urgently needed. Without full funding and political commitment, this paralyzing disease could return to previous polio-free countries, putting children everywhere at risk.

Celebrate how close we are to ending polio by making a donation in honor of World Polio Day.

Your gift will be matched 2-to-1 by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation at Rotary Club of San Juan Island website http://portal.clubrunner.ca/1358/.