The City of Oshawa proclaims World Polio Day in Oshawa on October 24, 2014

OSHAWA, ONTARIO – October 20, 2014 -- In honor of World Polio Day 2014, which is widely recognized on October 24, the Rotary Clubs of Oshawa and Oshawa-Parkwood received proclamations from The City of Oshawa on Monday October 20, 2014, at the noon hour meeting of the Rotary Club of Oshawa, at the Oshawa Shrine Club, it was announced today, by Emmanuel Iheme, President of the Rotary Club of Oshawa.

Oshawa Mayor (who is also a fellow Oshawa Rotary Club member) John Henry presented the Proclamations to Emmanuel Iheme, President of the Oshawa Rotary Club and to Robbie Larocque, President of the Oshawa-Parkwood Rotary Club. Mayor Henry said, “I am so proud of my Rotary Club of Oshawa and also the Oshawa-Parkwood Rotary Club for their efforts in Rotary’s 29-year mission to eradicate the crippling childhood disease, polio”.

The world is on the verge of eliminating one of the most dreaded diseases of the 20th century -- poliomyelitis. During the first half of the 20th century, polio crippled over a half a million people every year. Even today, children in some developing countries continue to fall victim to the disease. But thanks in large part to Rotary International and to the 1.2 million Rotary members worldwide, including the 2 Rotary Clubs in Oshawa, the disease will soon be all but a memory. 

Before celebrating this public health milestone, the spread of the poliovirus must be interrupted in the poorest and most populous regions of the world, and surveillance must continue for several years to be sure the virus is completely wiped out. This is no easy task. One of the greatest challenges to the effort is a funding shortage.  

To date, Rotary has contributed more than US$1 billion to the protection of more than two billion children in 122 countries. Rotary reaches out to governments worldwide to obtain vital financial and technical support. Since 1995, donor governments have contributed in excess of $6 billion to polio eradication, due in part to Rotary’s advocacy efforts. But much more is needed. More than twenty years of steady progress is at stake, and polio -- now on the ropes -- stands to stage a dangerous comeback unless the funding gap is bridged. Learn more ways to help at: endpolionow.org.

In addition to raising money for polio eradication, Rotary members offer their time and expertise in the field to fight polio by providing support at clinics, transporting vaccine, contributing medical supplies, and mobilizing their communities for immunization and other polio eradication activities. More than one million members of Rotary worldwide have contributed toward the success of the polio eradication effort to date, demonstrating the extraordinary impact civil society can have on a global public health initiative.

As World Polio Day draws closer, the world is 99.9% polio free, the fight to end polio is not over and Rotary Clubs world-wide continue to raise funds to meet the challenge.  A US$700-million funding gap threatens to undermine all of the progress achieved against the disease since 1988, when Rotary joined with the World Health Organization, UNICEF and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to launch the Global Polio Eradication Initiative.

The Global Polio Eradication Initiative is spearheaded by the World Health Organization, Rotary International, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). It includes the support of governments and other private sector donors, such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

The message to world leaders is clear: support the final push to achieve eradication now while the goal has never been closer, or face the potential consequences of a new polio pandemic that could disable millions of children within a decade.

Oshawa-Parkwood Rotary President Robbie Larocque said, “On Friday, October 24, 2014, many cities all over the world are proclaiming Friday as World Polio Day in honour of Rotary’s efforts to eradicate polio from the world. In Toronto the “End Polio Now” flag will fly high over City Hall at a 10:00 am flag raising ceremony.”

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 US 60 cents worth of vaccine, a child can be protected against this crippling disease for life. After 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.

Rotary’s main responsibilities are fundraising, advocacy, and volunteer recruitment. Since 1995, the advocacy efforts of Rotary and its partners have helped raise more than $8 billion from donor governments. And Rotary clubs also provide on the ground help in polio affected communities.

Rotary brings together a global network of volunteers who dedicate their time and talent to tackle the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. Rotary connects 1.2 million members from 200 countries and geographical regions. Their work impacts lives both at the local and international levels, from helping families in need, right here in Oshawa, to working toward a polio-free world.

Rotarians are neighbors, friends, and community leaders who come together to create positive, lasting change in our communities and around the world.  With differing occupations, cultures, and countries, Rotarians are given a unique perspective. Their shared passion for service helps Rotarians accomplish the remarkable.

Rotary invites the public to support the polio eradication initiative by visiting http://endpolionow.org and be sure to visit the www.rotaryoshawa.org and the www.rotaryoshawa-parkwood.org website for more information about the two Oshawa Rotary Clubs.

Left to Right: Emmanuel Iheme, President of the Rotary Club of Oshawa; Mayor and fellow Oshawa Rotary Club member John Henry; and Robbie Larocque, President of The Rotary Club of Oshawa-Parkwood