The other day I was cleaning my kitchen while half-listening to the news when I overheard a doctor say that “much of the progress in medical research and outreach over the years was due in part by Rotary.”
Wait… what? I stopped dead in my tracks, kitchen rag dripping…
Of course I know this, I’m a Rotarian. But hearing it on national news hit differently. Suddenly it felt real.
The donations we make, big or small, truly matter. I even caught myself wondering if my gift had helped save a life yet, or if somewhere a child is running and playing who may someday grow up to be a peace-keeper. All because of a vaccine made possible through Rotary. That’s the power of Rotary, and every one of us is part of it.
World Immunization Week is April 24–30 and highlights the life-saving power of vaccines and the importance of protecting our communities from preventable diseases. Rotary’s PolioPlus program is one of the most ambitious public health initiatives in history. If you’ve ever given to PolioPlus, you’re part of that story. And the incredible support from philanthropists like Bill Gates and the more recent Ravishankar and Paola Dakoju who pledged a $50M gift reminds us just how powerful this work truly is.
The eradication of polio may actually happen in our lifetime. That’s pretty amazing.
We All Need to Do Things?
- Promote World Immunization Week on your socials (See below)
- Share Rotary’s progress with immunizations locally and globally
- Help plan your club’s involvement in the World’s Largest Polio Walk on Oct. 24 (no, it’s not too soon!)
- Show End Polio Now videos at your club meetings
- Educate your community about the importance of vaccines
- Talk a lot about Rotary and the cool things we’re accomplishing!
- Use the linked RI materials shared below
World Immunization Resources
Every time we give to PolioPlus, participate in a local event, or simply share Rotary’s story, we help protect children and families from vaccine-preventable diseases. Thank you for your part in the progress Rotary is making and let’s bring awareness to World Immunization Week.