Many of you have probably seen the announcements from Rotary International about World Polio Day on October 24.  RI will host a webcast from the headquarters of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation at 5.30pm Eastern Time (you can watch the event live by clicking on this link).
 
Sue Desmond-Hellmann, the Gates Foundation’s chief executive, will discuss this year’s progress with attendees including Rotary members, Gates Foundation staff and supporters, as well as the audience watching worldwide via livestream. Only 11 new cases of wild poliovirus have been reported so far in 2017 - all in Pakistan and Afghanistan.  Other speakers will include Jay Wenger, director of the Gates Foundation’s polio eradication efforts; Dean Rohrs, vice president of Rotary International; wrestler John Cena and singer-songwriter Tiwa Savage, Rotary polio ambassadors; Ade Adepitan, a Paralympian and polio survivor; and Jeffrey Kluger, senior editor at Time magazine overseeing science and health reporting.  Claire Foy and Andrew Garfield, stars of the upcoming movie “Breathe,” and director Andy Serkis will also speak. “Breathe” is based on the true story of a polio survivor who became an advocate for others.
 
Locally, District 7430 held its own polio-themed event this past Saturday.  The 7th Annual Yvette Palmer Purple Pinkie 5K Run/Walk took place at Lehigh Carbon Community College with over 120 Rotarians and friends participating or volunteering at the event - including seven from Emmaus Rotary Club.  Race participants and walkers heard inspiring remarks from Carol Ferguson from Doylestown Rotary just before the race.  Carol was one of three polio survivors on hand for the event.
 
Emmaus Rotary participated as a club sponsor at the $1,500 level.  Special thanks to those of you who collectively contributed $400 to sponsor me in this event!  A total of $28,000 was raised through the generosity of several corporate sponsors, race fees from participants, contributions from thirty-five D7430 Rotary Clubs, and support of participants' sponsors!  This is a substantial increase over the $17,500 raised at last year’s event.  With the 2 for 1 match from the Gates Foundation, this year’s $28,000 amount will be tripled to $84,000 which will fund vaccinations for over 110,000 children! 
 
We are so close to eliminating this dread disease once and for all.  Thanks again for your generous support!
 
Yours in Rotary,
 
Burt