Rotary asks the public to fight polio | New

In honor of the Rotary Club's ongoing efforts to eradicate polio, Rotary members Oneida and Sherrill have painted their purple pinkies and are asking the community to join the fight.

"Rotary Club Sherrill members and friends put purple nail polish on the little finger," said Rotary President Sherrill Elise Hereth. "It is hoped that when people notice it, a conversation about polio eradication and Rotary International will take place."

When volunteers visit communities to vaccinate children against polio, they dye the finger of the pinkie in purple to make sure all children are vaccinated and that no one is missing out. call.

Oneida Rotary President Maggie Argentina and Hereth invite the public to a healthy evening at Oneida Community Mansion House on Wednesday for Rotary Nursing and Polio Fellowships.

On Wednesday, Healthy Hour Healthy will also feature a silent auction where proceeds will be donated to Rotary International on behalf of the respective clubs.

Since Rotary and its partners launched the Global Polio Eradication Initiative 30 years ago, the incidence of polio worldwide has dropped by more than 99.9% from about 350,000 cases a year to just 22 cases in 2017. Maintaining this progress and protecting all children To fight polio, Rotary is committed to raising $ 50 million annually to support global efforts to eradicate polio.

Foundation President Clark Speicher of Rotary Sherrill and District President Mark Matt said polio elimination begins with individuals from local clubs. Their efforts contribute to restoring global health and peace by fighting endemic diseases, providing clean water, disaster relief and more.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has promised to double Rotary's commitment. Without full funding and political commitment, this paralyzing disease could return to previously polio-free countries, putting children at risk. Today, only three countries in the world have ever stopped the transmission of polio: Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria.

There is no cure for polio; this can only be avoided. The polio vaccine can protect a child for life. The failure of poliomyelitis eradication could result in up to 200,000 new cases each year, within 10 years, worldwide.

Despite this progress since 1988, as long as only one child remains infected with poliovirus, children in all countries are at risk of contracting the disease. Poliovirus can be easily imported into a polio-free country and spread rapidly among non-immune populations.

To learn more about Rotary and its efforts to eradicate polio, visit endpolio.org.