Press Release from RIBI

June 2003

ROTARY RAISES US$88,557,000 TO BATTLE POLIO
Fundraising Drive Exceeds Campaign Goal

As part of Rotary’s 20-year commitment to end polio by its 100th anniversary in 2005, the humanitarian service organization has announced that its 1.2 million members have successfully raised over US$88 million; surpassing its original goal of US$80 million.

Last year, Rotary embarked on its second major fundraising drive entitled, “Fulfilling our Promise: Eradicate Polio,” to help raise critically needed resources to purchase oral polio vaccine, and to help cover operational expenses and poliovirus surveillance.

Rotarians in Great Britain and Ireland will contribute £3 million towards the total.

During the announcement to more than 16,000 Rotary members gathered in Brisbane, Australia for Rotary’s 94th annual international convention, Bhichai Rattakul, President of Rotary International said, ”Thanks to the remarkable commitment and generosity of Rotary members worldwide, we are closer than ever to wiping out this crippling and deadly disease. Rotary was the first to have the vision of a polio-free world. Today, we are just as committed to this legacy; our gift to the children of the world.”

The funds raised this year are in addition to the US$500 million Rotary has committed to polio eradication since 1985, when Rotary launched its first fundraising drive with the goal of US$120 million. By the end of that campaign, Rotary more than doubled its goal and created its PolioPlus program – the largest private-sector support of a global health initiative ever. In addition, over one million men and women of Rotary have volunteered their time and personal resources to help immunize more than two billion children in 122 countries.

A highly infectious disease, polio still affects children mainly under the age of five, in countries located in South Asia and in parts of Africa. Polio can cause paralysis and sometimes death. As there is no cure for polio, 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.

Great strides have been made in polio eradication. In the 1980s, approximately 1,000 children were infected by this crippling disease every day. In 2002, 1,919 children contracted polio in seven countries (India, Pakistan, Nigeria, Afghanistan, Niger, Somalia and Egypt), down from the 350,000 cases estimated in 125 countries in 1988. The Americas were declared free from polio in 1994, as well as the Western Pacific region in 2000, and Europe in 2002. Once eradicated, polio will be the second disease after smallpox ever to be eliminated worldwide.

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).

For more information, photos or to arrange an interview with David Liddiatt, Chairman Polio Eradication Campaign Great Britain & Ireland please contact Judith Diment on 01628 672965 or 07860 162313 .

Notes for Editors

Rotary is an organisation of business and professional persons united world-wide, who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations and help to build goodwill and peace in the world. Their motto is: Service above Self.

For general information on Rotary in your area, contact the local Rotary Club President. Details from Robin Freeman: 01789 765411