Crowd Out Polio
The Rotary Club of Gastonia created a special fundraising event for Polio Plus. Starting October 7, participants will walk, hike, or climb on the trails of Crowders Mountain State Park during the week to raise money to help eradicate polio. The event will end on October 22 with an outdoor celebration at the Boulder Access from noon until 2:00pm.
Poliomyelitis, or polio, is a paralyzing and potentially fatal disease that still threatens children in some parts of the world. Poliovirus invades the nervous system and can cause total paralysis in hours. It can strike people of any age but mainly affects children under five. Polio can be prevented by vaccines, but it is not curable. Unlike most diseases, polio can be eradicated.
Rotary members have contributed more than $2.1 billion and countless volunteer hours to protect more than 2.5 billion children in 122 countries from this paralyzing disease. Rotary’s advocacy efforts have played a role in decisions by governments to contribute more than $10 billion to the effort.
Rotary and polioplus
Rotary and our partners have made tremendous progress against polio, but eliminating all cases is going to take even more progress and perseverance. “We are this close!”
Ensuring Success
Rotary has committed to raising $50 million per year for polio eradication.The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has pledged to match that 2-to-1, for a total commitment of $150 million each year.
Rotary in Action
More than 1 million Rotary members have donated their time and money to eradicate polio, and every year, hundreds of members work with health workers to vaccinate children in countries affected by polio.
Challenges
Rotary and our partners have made tremendous progress against polio, but eliminating all cases is going to take even more progress and perseverance.What’s the PLUS in PolioPlus?
Gastonia Connection:
Gastonia, NC, was the center of the state’s efforts to help those afflicted with polio with the location of the North Carolina Orthopedic Hospital. The hospital has long been closed, but the legacy lives on along with the message of needing to End Polio Now.
Photo gallery
New Members
Rotarians new to the Rotary Club of Gastonia experience “Service Above Self” through their involvement in Crowd Out Polio. New members are recruited to serve on this committee so they can grow in their awareness of Rotary’s role in stopping the spread of life-threatening diseases including polio as well as how local Rotary clubs support their local communities.
Educate Members
Crowd Out Polio is designed to provide up-to-date information regarding the fight to eliminate polio across the world. This event also raises awareness of the general public about Rotary’s role in polio eradication.
Raise Funds
Registered participants will climb, hike and walk the trails of Crowders Mountain State Park to raise money to help eradicate polio. Funds will be generated through registration fees and sponsorship opportunities.
Raise Awareness
Many people have heard about polio but few know that this disease still affects children around the world. Until we end polio forever, every child is at risk.
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