PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – World Polio Day is observed globally on October 24th by Rotary clubs worldwide in efforts to bring awareness on the eradication of polio as well as to commemorate the efforts of thousands of volunteers and organizations committed to eradicate polio worldwide. The Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunset will be hosting an End Polio wristband sale and a monetary drive in efforts to raise funds in support of the worldwide polio eradication efforts.
Polio, or poliomyelitis is a paralyzing and highly infectious disease caused by the deadly ‘Poliovirus’. This deadly disease mainly affects children under the age of 5 and it can quickly spread from person to person through contaminated water. The virus mainly affects the nervous system and often leads to paralysis of a persons’ limbs.
On Saturday October 24th, 2020, the Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunset will be selling “End Polio Now” wristbands for 2 US dollars at Carrefour Market on the Bush Road and Fair Way Market in Point Blanche from 10:00am to 2:00pm. The club has also launched a, “Ten For Polio” fundraiser whereby the public is encouraged to donate 10 US dollars or more towards the eradication of Polio. Each dollar raised, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will match it with an additional $2. The club’s account numbers are WIB- USD 82173909 or WIB- ANG 82173806 and all donors are encouraged to initialize their transfer with “Ten For Polio Donation” in the description slot. Persons can also contact the club for donation pickups.
Today, polio remains endemic only in Afghanistan and Pakistan, but it is crucial to continue working to keep other countries polio-free. If all eradication efforts stopped today, within 10 years, polio could paralyze as many as 200,000 children each year. Despite the success of eradicating polio in 99.9% of the world, Rotary and its partners must sustain the progress and continue to reach every child with the polio vaccine. Without full funding and political commitment, this deadly disease could return to ‘Polio Free’ countries, thus putting children everywhere a risk.
The Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunset would like to encourage the general population to contribute towards the polio eradication efforts. We are ‘This Close’ to a Polio Free World and we need your help. For more information on how you can donate please visit: Rotary.org or contact the Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunset at: Rotarysxmsunset@gmail.com
