Spencer Trask, The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, UNICEF Support 6th Annual World Polio Day

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Oct 24, 2018, 09:00 ET

GREENWICH, Conn., Oct. 24, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Spencer Trask & Co., a privately held advanced technology development firm, joins UNICEF and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation as sponsor of World Polio Day on Oct. 24, 2018. This is the sixth year Rotary International is producing the event to raise awareness for the global eradication of polio.

Rotary is live streaming its event activities from the College of Physicians in Philadelphia, PA in the hopes of bringing together more than 100,000 viewers around the world at EndPolio.org. Guests include global health experts and Rotary's celebrity polio ambassadors, along with Jeffrey Kluger, senior editor for Time magazine, who will discuss his experience traveling to Nigeria with Rotary to report on polio eradication.

Spencer Trask & Co. Chairman Kevin Kimberlin, has been personally and professionally supportive of the eradication of polio since joining forces with renowned polio vaccine pioneer Dr. Jonas Salk in 1986.

"This event is a testament to the hard work and dedication of Rotary International and those individuals who have been working toward this end since Dr. Salk developed the first polio vaccine, which is the standard of care around the world today," said Kimberlin. "It's a privilege to be a part of this monumental effort, as we're on the cusp of total eradication of one of history's most feared diseases."

This year Rotary celebrates the 30th anniversary of the founding of its Global Polio Eradication Initiative and pledged more than $96.5 million in new grants to fund global efforts to eradicate polio.

About the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, it focuses on improving people's health and giving them the chance to lift themselves out of hunger and extreme poverty. In the United States, it seeks to ensure that all people—especially those with the fewest resources—have access to the opportunities they need to succeed in school and life. Based in Seattle, Washington, the foundation is led by CEO Sue Desmond-Hellmann and Co-chair William H. Gates Sr., under the direction of Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett.

About Rotary International
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. Visit www.rotary.org and www.endpolio.org for more about Rotary and its efforts to eradicate polio.

About Spencer Trask & Co.
Spencer Trask & Co. is a privately held advanced technology development company. The firm works with entrepreneurs and corporate partners to start and incubate high impact ventures that change the world. Spencer Trask & Co. has been instrumental in the formative stage of companies that pioneered many technological advances scientific advancements in the field of genomics, healthcare, mobile technology, global communications and open innovation. Please visit www.SpencerTraskCo.com for additional information.

SOURCE Spencer Trask & Co.