Rotary International has announced that it will mark World Polio Day next week.
Friday, October 24th has been proclaimed World Polio Day to celebrate the birthday of Dr. Jonas Salk, the researcher who developed the first vaccine in 1955.
Rotary has worked to help eradicate polio worldwide since 1979 when they took on their first project in the Philippines, and the organization reports that it has been able to help in nearly wiping out the disease in countries that participate in vaccination.
The Buffalo Rotary reports that it contributes 1 thousand dollars annually to the effort. Worldwide, Rotary members have contributed more than 2.1 billion dollars and countless volunteer hours to help protect and immunize nearly 3 billion children in 122 countries.
Officials say however, that polio is still active in Afghanistan and Pakistan. It’s estimated that without eradication efforts, polio has the potential within 10 years of paralyzing as many as 200 thousand children.
