On World Polio Day local Rotary International clubs ask community for help

Rotary District 7570 shares the importance of eradicating a forgotten disease

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Oct 24, 2014, 07:52 ET

ROANOKE, Va., Oct. 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Today is World Polio Day, and Rotary International is calling attention to this devastating disease by asking people to make a contribution to end polio forever at their local rotary club, or at http://www.wearethisclose.com.

Polio is often an afterthought in the United States, but parts of Nigeria, Afghanistan and Pakistan are still endemic, and as long as there are still cases the virus risks spreading. That's why Rotary international is spearheading a massive coordinated vaccination program to eradicate it forever.

Go to www.endpolionow.com to make a donation.

"Much like Ebola, we are only an airplane ride away from polio entering our country again," Rotary District 7570 Governor, Vivian Crymble, said. "That's why we are calling on the communities in our district, which stretches from the northern part of the Shenandoah Valley to Tennessee to come together and make a difference."

The dream to eradicate polio began in 1985 with Dr. Carlos Canseco, a physician and President of Rotary International. He committed the volunteer effort and dollars of the organization to eradicating polio, and in years since, other organizations have joined the fight including: the World Health Organization, UNICEF and more recently the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

"Polio has touched many lives with devastating results," Former District Governor, Joseph Ferguson, said. "Eradication is near, but we need a final push to end it forever, and through the efforts of the Gates Foundation every dollar donated will be matched two to one."

Rotary International's "This Close" campaign is the last effort being coordinated to finish the job and to declare the world polio free.

Help spread the word on social media using hashtag #worldpolioday.

We are "This Close" (99 percent) to ending polio. Will you help us get the rest of the way there?

About Rotary:

Rotary brings together a global network of volunteer leaders dedicated to tackling the world's most pressing humanitarian challenges. Rotary connects 1.2 million members of more than 34,000 Rotary clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas. Their work improves lives at both the local and international levels, from helping families in need in their own communities to working toward a polio-free world. For more information, visit www.rotary.org.

Video - http://youtu.be/JgvXhrySkag

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SOURCE Rotary International