Forty children stricken by polio every hour. These children’s lives were forever changed. Some did not survive the disease. Many of those who survived were left with limbs that couldn’t function. In many third world countries, this meant being shunned by society, denied an education, and access to a job.
Just think of that fact. The year was 1986 and Rotary was starting its “End Polio Now” campaign. Today, there are just three countries (Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Nigeria) which have not been declared polio free. Did you know that if we stop vaccinating, within ten years, 200,000 children per year could be stricken by polio.
World Polio Day, October 24, celebrates the birth of Jonas Salk who developed the first vaccine against poliomyelitis. Before Salk invented this vaccine, the United States was also inflicted with this disease. During outbreaks, particularly in the summers, parents were afraid to let their children go to the swimming pool, or play with other children.
This year’s World Polio Day is being lived streamed from Philadelphia on October 24 at 6:30 p.m. Jeffrey Kluger, senior editor for Time magazine will discuss his experience traveling to Nigeria with Rotary to report on polio eradication. A virtual reality film “Two Drops of Patience” will be introduced. And there will be a sneak peek of Rotary’s documentary “Drop to Zero.” If the live stream isn’t convenient, a recording will be available at endpolio.org shortly after the event.