Surviving the Other Virus

On Monday, May 2, we are pleased to welcome polio survivors Debb Johnson and Steve Hess.

Following their presentation, Club Foundation Chair Dale Desmond will have a Kahoot game covering several things. There will be prizes for the winner!

Poliomyelitis is a highly infectious disease which most commonly affects children under the age of 5, spread person-to-person, typically through contaminated water.  It can attack the nervous system and in some instances, lead to paralysis.  Although there is no cure, there is a safe and effective vaccine - one whichRotary International and our partners have used to immunize over 2.5 billion children worldwide. 

From more than 350,000 cases a year in the '50s and '60s (about 1000 a day around the world), instances of poliovirus have been reduced by 99.9% since Rotary began the fight to eradicate this disease in 1985.

Partners in the fight are the World Health Organization, US Center for Disease Control, and others.  Last year LDS Charities - for the 3rd time - gave $1 million to RI which will be matched 2-to-1 by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.