Rotary lights up the world to End Polio Now

Photography by Rich Hendry 

What do the Houses of Parliament, the Roman Coliseum, Sydney Opera House, and a Scottish castle have in common?

Each of these iconic landmarks will provide a dramatic backdrop for an equally dramatic Rotary message over the next week: End Polio Now. Those three words -- Rotary’s pledge to rid the world of this crippling childhood disease -- will be projected onto the exterior of each structure in an effort to encourage the world to unite against polio.

The illuminating idea was born in the UK when Rotary lit up the Houses of Parliament this time last year. The eye catching pledge will be projected on to the Houses again at 6pm this Saturday (21st February), followed throughout the week by The Coliseum, Sydney Opera House, and the prestigious Eileen Donan Castle in the West Highlands (often portrayed in films).

“By illuminating these historic landmarks with our pledge to end polio, Rotary clubs are announcing to the world that we will not stop until the goal is achieved,” said Ian Thomson, president of Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland. “We hope people everywhere will see these words -- either in person or through the media -- and join with us and our partners in this historic effort to rid the world of polio once and for all.”

“Although we have not had polio in the United Kingdom for many years, the crippling and sometimes fatal disease is still a very harrowing reality for children in parts of Africa and Asia and threatens children everywhere.

“Polio is only a plane ride away. Complacency will put our children and grand children at risk. We must not waver in our commitment to eradicate this scourge.”

In Scotland, Rotarians have recently illuminated three prestigious buildings, including Culzein Castle in Ayrshire.

The displays, taking place around Rotary’s 104th birthday on Monday 23rd February, highlight an already historic year in Rotary’s 20-year effort to eradicate polio, a goal more than 99 percent achieved.

The incidence of polio infection has plunged from about 350,000 cases in 1988 to fewer than 2,000 in 2008. More than two billion children have been immunised in 122 countries, preventing an estimated five million cases of paralysis and 250,000 deaths. Today, polio remains endemic to only four countries: India, Pakistan, Nigeria, and Afghanistan.

Polio eradication has been Rotary’s top priority for more than two decades. The international humanitarian service organisation is a spearheading partner in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, along with the World Health Organisation, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and UNICEF.

Rotary club members worldwide have contributed more than $800 million and countless volunteer hours to the effort and are now working aggressively to raise the $200 million needed to match $355 million in challenge grants from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

To learn more about polio eradication, including how to participate in this historic effort, click here .

 

20/02/09