END POLIO NOW

A NEWSLETTER OF THE ROTARY FOUNDATION

July 2010

Aggressive immunization strategy paying off

A Rotarian in Nigeria verifies that children in a household have been immunized against polio.

The incidence of polio continues to decline as immunization drives intensify in endemic countries and those where the poliovirus has been imported. As of 15 June, Nigeria reported only 3 polio cases, compared to 312 cases for the same period in 2009. India reported 21 polio cases compared to 67 cases. Multicountry synchronized immunization campaigns continue in West Africa, where the outbreak that affected the entire region last year now appears confined to the westernmost part.

"Our tactics are better, the tools are better, and our support is stronger than ever," says Dr. Bruce Aylward, director of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative.

Rotary International and its global partners are responding to a wild poliovirus outbreak in Tajikistan, which originated in Uttar Pradesh, India. As of 15 June, 239 polio cases were reported. Rotary has provided a total of US$500,000 in emergency grants to UNICEF and the World Health Organization for polio immunization efforts throughout the country. The outbreak is a reminder that as long as polio exists anywhere in the world, all children are at risk.

Watch a video message of Bill Gates thanking Rotarians for their hard work in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative.

NBA standout blocks polio

Portland Trail Blazers center Joel Przybilla joined members of the Rotary Club of Portland Pearl, Oregon, USA, at a polio eradication fundraiser in March. Przybilla answered questions for 45 minutes and autographed basketballs, T-shirts, and bobblehead dolls.

"The event was fun and informative," said 2009-10 Portland Pearl club president Donald Q. Smith, who estimated the event raised $2,500 for Rotary’s US$200 Million Challenge. "Joel Pryzbilla has registered impressive statistics in his pro basketball career, especially in blocking shots and grabbing rebounds. Now he can add this figure: 4,000, the number of children who will receive the polio vaccine because of his contribution of time to Rotary."

Joel Przybilla fields questions during the Rotary Club of Portland Pearl’s end polio fundraiser.

Music for a polio-free world

David Biermann is using his musical gifts to offer children the gift of life without polio.

A former music teacher and member of the Rotary Club of Easington & Peterlee, Durham, England, Biermann recorded a CD to raise funds for Rotary’s challenge. Titled The Two Davids, the CD features Biermann on the violin, accompanied by pianist David Marlette.

"There are 14 tracks, including a special End Polio Now introduction composed by my wife, Susan," Biermann says. "These include violin classics by Brahms,Vivaldi, and Dvorak; folk music from  Scotland, Ireland, Israel, and South America; and film themes for Ladies in Lavender and Schindler’s List."

Priced at £5 each (about US$7.70), the CDs were sold at the District 1030 annual assembly and RIBI annual conference, raising about $2,000. They also are being promoted in Canada and New Zealand.

"I have been doing recitals and decided the pieces could be put together for another purpose," says Biermann. "It’s very important for me to be using my music for a good cause."

Afghan volleyball fans rally against polio

A volleyball match in Jalalabad, Afghanistan, helped increase awareness among youth and their families about polio and the need for immunization. Sponsored by the World Health Organization’s Expanded Programme on Immunization team in that country, the event spread the end polio message with banners and announcements over a public address system. More than 1,300 young people attended the match, which was also broadcast on local television.

Fundraising round-up

• In the final tally of World Polio Day fundraisers in October, German Rotarians netted about US$3.34 million and Austrian Rotarians $405,000 for Rotary’s US$200 Million Challenge.

• Luxembourg’s 12 Rotary clubs raised about US$45,000 for Rotary’s challenge by selling packets of sunflower seeds.

• Interact District 5170 (California, USA), the largest in the world, has garnered more than $30,000 toward its $100,000 goal for Rotary’s challenge. Over 6,000 Interactors in 58 clubs are taking part in talent shows, charity dinners, car washes, and other fundraisers.

•More than 200 people joined in the Purple Pinkie 5k Fun Run/2mi Walk, organized by the Rotaract Club of Reno, Nevada, USA, in April. Local Rotary clubs and businesses also supported the events, which raised about $4,500.

What your contribution can do (US$)

• $60 — 100 doses of oral polio vaccine

• $100 — 200 posters promoting immunization

• $250 — 500 aprons to identify health workers, volunteers, and vaccinators

• $500 — 4,000 finger markers to identify children immunized

• $1,000 — 700 vaccine carriers

Social Networking

Rotarians, Rotaractors, and Interactors who are registered on www.facebook.com, Twitter and www.linkedin.com are urged to share their Rotary's challenge fundraising stories so others can gain ideas for launching fundraisers in their communities.

Newsletter Links

Rotary International
RI News
End Polio Now

We want to hear from you!

If you have a success story, please e-mail us at rotary's200millionchallenge@rotary.org.

RI Convention celebrates end polio efforts

Watch and read about the arrival of the Kick Polio Out of Africa soccer ball and other end polio highlights of the RI Convention in Montréal, Québec, Canada.

RISING TO THE CHALLENGE

Rotary's US$200 Million Challenge totals*

US$133M

*As of 25 June 2010

Polio Facts & Figures

For the latest on the number of polio cases, progress reports on polio-endemic countries, and other information, go to www.polioeradication.org.

Tools and Resources

Clubs and districts can order the following tools and resources online at http://shop.rotary.org or from Publications Order Services (e-mail: shop.rotary@rotary.org; tel.: 847-866-4600; fax: 847-866-3276); or the international office serving their area.

New! End Polio Now calendar — See historic landmarks illuminated with the End Polio Now logo in the new 2010-11 End Polio Now calendar. This stunning wall calendar spans 18 months, from July 2010 through December 2011, and is available in English, French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish. (961, US$15)

New! End Polio Now postcards — The postcard features the brilliant End Polio Now logo on one side with a brief description of the history and progress of Rotary’s global polio eradication efforts on the reverse. Cards measure 6 x 9 inches (15 x 23 centimeters) and are available in English, French, Japanese, Korean, German, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish. (979, $1/set of 20)

To donate directly to Rotary's challenge, go to www.rotary.org/endpolio.

Donors in the United States, Canada, and Australia can automatically transfer funds electronically from their checking, savings, or credit card accounts by enrolling in TRF-DIRECT. Once enrolled, donors can contribute to PolioPlus to support Rotary's US$200 Million Challenge.

Watch polio eradication videos and public service announcements on the Rotary International YouTube channel and include the link on Rotary club and district Web sites.

Click here to find fundraising tips and ideas.

Join The Rotary Foundation's End Polio Now cause page on Facebook. Make a donation to support polio eradication, invite others to be part of the cause, and keep track of how many people you've recruited.

Text POLIO to
contribute US$5

Rotarians and non-Rotarians in the United States can help support polio eradication by texting POLIO to 90999.

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