World Polio Week Wednesday 24th October

A Note from the Rotary Foundation on Polio Week.

 Dear Rotarian,

With your help, we have made tremendous progress in the fight to eradicate polio. We are at an historic moment -- less than 1% away from the end of polio forever. This past February, we celebrated India being polio-free for a year and in May we celebrated reaching the US$200 Million Challenge. However, our work is not done.  In honor of World Polio Day on 24 October 2012, we are asking for your help to tell
the world about Rotary’s achievements and to finish the job. There are several ways you may lend your voice to spread the word.

First, be part of the World’s Biggest Commercial to support polio eradication - the world’s biggest public health initiative – by adding a photo of yourself alongside  Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Bill Gates, Jackie Chan, Amanda Peet and other world figures and celebrities participating in Rotary's "This Close" campaign.  Check out the prelaunch video to see how it works.  On 24 October, go to www.endpolionow.org, to be included in the constantly expanding commercial.

Many of our celebrity polio ambassadors who participate in the “This Close” campaign are also accomplished musicians.  Several of them donated music to the End Polio Now album to help raise funds to eradicate polio. On 23 October, The Rotary Foundation will release the End Polio Now album via iTunes and shop.rotary.org. The album includes songs by Itzhak Perlman, Zeynab, Staff Benda Bilili, Angelique Kidjo, Donovan, Dan Maraya Jos, J-Hawk featuring Tanvi Shah, Nydia Caro, Ziggy Marley, David Sanborn, and Eric Wainaina.

We have also created a page on the social media service Thunderclap, which enables supporters to sign up to share a single message through their social media accounts. The message will go out at a 9 am EST on 24 to amplify the voice of our cause.  Visit our page on Thunderclap to add your voice.

We would encourage you to take advantage of World Polio Day and the tools outlined above to highlight progress and the need for continued support to meet the US$700 million funding gap for polio eradication activities with your fellow Rotarians, Rotaractors, Interactors, alumni, family, friends and your elected government officials. Encourage them to add their voice to show their support for polio eradication.

Together we can celebrate this year’s World Polio Day by bringing global attention to Rotary’s work to eradicate polio.  Thank you for your ongoing commitment to End Polio Now.  

The Rotary Foundation Contact Center:

Available for all general Foundation-related inquiries

866-9ROTARY (866-976-8279) | contact.center@rotary.org