October has been a busy month in Rotary, with the lead-up to World Polio Day—a day for raising awareness about polio vaccination, recognizing progress in eradication efforts, and renewing commitments to finish the job.
Over the past few weeks, Rotarians have received email communications and had access to social media filled with helpful resources, updates, and inspiring stories about what clubs, districts, zones, and Rotary International are doing to End Polio.
In District 7090, we celebrated World Polio Day with flag raisings, blue, yellow and purple illuminations, Pints for Polio, and a hike with Youth Exchange students.
Now, as we enter November—Rotary Foundation Month—it’s a time to emphasize the importance of and need for support of The Rotary Foundation.
But let’s not lose sight of polio. Forty years of hard work and extraordinary accomplishments are at stake. Polio, or poliomyelitis, is a disease caused by the poliovirus. It can cause permanent paralysis or even death. In 1985, polio was crippling an estimated 350,000 children every year across 125 countries.
Since then, Rotarians have raised and contributed over $2.1 billion and countless volunteer hours. We’ve helped immunize more than 3 billion children. Because of these efforts, polio cases have been reduced by 99.9% worldwide. We’ve saved nearly 20 million people from paralysis, and 1.5 million people who would otherwise have died are alive today.
This week, a World Health Organization update reported 39 officially confirmed global WPV1 cases in 2025—9 in Afghanistan and 30 in Pakistan. This represents tremendous progress, but we are far from finished.
With the goal of ending polio globally by 2029, Rotarians must continue raising awareness and promoting support for PolioPlus.
What can your club do? Set a goal to annually contribute $1,500 USD or more to Rotary’s PolioPlus Fund to receive the End Polio Now: Countdown to History Campaign Certificate of Appreciation.
What can you do? Join District 7090’s new PolioPlus Society (PPS) by committing to donate $100 USD per year or more until the world is free of polio. Joining is simple: complete a PolioPlus Society pledge form and send your form and donation confirmation to PolioPlus Society Coordinator Elaine Richard at emmrichard55@gmail.com.
Your End Polio Co-chairs, Past District Governor Frank Adamson and Elaine Richard, are grateful for every invitation to present to clubs. And we are always available to provide you with information and to answer your questions.
Lastly, a reminder to register for the November 3rd webinar: “Why the Last Mile Is So Important.” Featured speaker Michael McGovern, RI PolioPlus Global Chair, will share updates on our End Polio Now efforts, highlight the progress we’ve made, and outline the critical actions still needed. Opening remarks will be delivered by Christine Etienne, Rotary International Director 2024–26 for Zones 28 & 32.
Let’s keep the promise Rotary made to the children of the world: to end polio forever. Because of the challenges we face in 2025, your support matters more than ever.
PHOTOS:
1) Pints for Polio Fonthill Rotary Arches
2) St. Catharines City Hall WPD flag raising
3) Niagara Falls blue yellow purple
4) Youth Exchange Polio Walk
