Bella Vista Rotary Club fighting to end polio

Rotary International Worldwide Polio Day, Oct. 24, is the opportunity for Rotary Clubs and members to focus on an international service project to eliminate polio from the globe. The disease remains endemic in three countries: Afghanistan, Nigeria and Pakistan — although other countries remain at risk for imported cases.

Elimination of polio is a major international service project started by Rotary in 1979. Each Rotary Club and member is asked to support this important cause that will improve the lives of individuals and families around the world.

As of Aug. 31, 26 cases of wild polio virus has been confirmed, mostly in Afghanistan and Pakistan, with three cases of circulating vaccine-derived polio in Loas.

Non-Rotary Club members can also assist in eliminating polio by contacting a Rotary Club in your community and making a contribution.

Rotary International has been working on this international service project since 1979 and has established partnerships with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the World Health Organization ( WHO). Rotary’s focus is advocacy, fundraising, volunteer recruitment and awareness-building.

For additional information, contact Glenda Carol Orr, Polio Eradication, at carolorr50@gmail.com.

The Bella Vista Sunrise Rotary Club meets at 6:45 a.m. each Wednesday morning at Concordia Retirement Center for breakfast and a speaker. Anyone interested in the club can attend with no obligation.