Cincinnati Eastside Rotary works to end polio now.
In honor of World Polio Day celebrated on Oct. 24, the Cincinnati Eastside Rotary Club supported the End Polio Now campaign with its October fundraising activities as part of Rotary International’s 27-year mission to eradicate the crippling childhood disease polio.

World Polio Day follows a succession of significant developments that have made 2016 one of the most important years in the history of the polio eradication initiative.

“Several of our members have been affected personally by this devastating disease,” said Cincinnati Eastside Rotary President Eric Radtke.

He added, “It’s critical to support the final push to achieve eradication now while the goal is so close.”

Since 1985, Rotary has contributed nearly $1.2 billion and countless volunteer hours to the protection of more than two billion children in 122 countries. The disease remains endemic in just three countries — Afghanistan, Nigeria and Pakistan — although other countries remain at risk for imported cases.

A highly infectious disease, polio causes paralysis and is sometimes fatal. As there is no cure, the best protection is prevention. For as little as sixty cents worth of vaccine, a child can be protected against this crippling disease for life. After an international investment of more than $9 billion, and the successful engagement of over 200 countries and 20 million volunteers, polio could be the first human disease of the 21st century to be eradicated.

Cincinnati-Eastside Rotary engages in fellowship, service and education each Wednesday during luncheon meetings beginning at noon at Ivy Hills Country Club in Newtown. Members represent a vast range of business, non-profit and government leaders striving to improve communities. For more information or to join, please visit www.CincinnatiEastsideRotary.org.

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.