End Polio Now - Finish The Fight For Global Polio Eradication
Although Rotary clubs develop autonomous service programs, all Rotarian's worldwide are united in a campaign for the global eradication of polio. Over the past 30 years, Rotary and it's partners have immunized more than 2 billion children against polio. In the 1980's, Rotarian's raised US$240 million to immunize the children of the world. At that time, polio affected more than 350,000 in nearly 126 countries. In 2009, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation issued what has become known as the "$200 million challenge". In 2012, Rotary surpassed it's $200 Million Challenge fundraising goal more than five months earlier than planned, which will result in a $355 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. As of 2012, polio is nearly 99% eradicated and there are only three countries (Afghanistan, Nigeria, and Pakistan) in which polio is considered endemic. For more information on the End Polio Now campaign, please visit the website www.endpolio.org