Gates encourages Rotarians to keep up fight against polio

Rotary International News -- 15 April 2010

I n a video message to Rotarians, Bill Gates, cochair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, thanked Rotarians for their hard work in the effort to eradicate polio and congratulated Rotary for surpassing the halfway point in meeting Rotary's US$200 Million Challenge.

"The work you're doing to raise funds for the program is critical, especially given the tight government budgets and increasing costs for a very aggressive polio program," Gates said. "Your work as advocates is also very important. We need to keep this fight high on the world's list of priorities."

Rotary has been a leader in the fight against polio since the launch of the PolioPlus program in 1985. Recently, the Gates Foundation awarded two grants totaling $355 million to Rotary in support of its work in eradicating the disease. In response, Rotary pledged to raise $200 million. To date, Rotary has raised $117.5 million.

11 Comments:

At 10:51AM on 20 September 2010, Karen lipman wrote: My father who past away 7 year ago had polio when he was a child and later in life suffered from post polio syndrome. He lost his sense of balance and fell often. He was a strong, proud man, my hero. I'll carry his struggle in my heart forever and pray that someday we can help those who suffer. Thank you all for the love you have for others. K. Lipman www.cleftbooks.biz

At 9:51AM on 7 July 2010, Steven Prakash wrote: Rotary International & The Gates Foundation - An Unbeatable Combination in the Fight to Eradicate Polio!! I have seen both sides of the spectrum and I know deep inside me that Polio will soon be a thing of the past!! Long Live RI!! Rtn. Steven Prakash RC Woodland Hills, CA RI Dist 5260

At 9:33AM on 20 April 2010, pres elect rotary club vapi,dr rakesh naik wrote: polio is one of the most debilitating diseases and it makes it worse because it affects mostly children and the person has to live with the crippling effects for life.rotarians round the world,lets carry on till the last virus is thrown out from this world!!!!thanku bill and melinda gates.

At 10:20AM on 19 April 2010, Mark Zober wrote: Thanks Bill! You and Melinda with your combined profound awareness, compassionate advocacy, effective leadership and heartfelt generosity, have inspired and mobilized all Rotarians to give of their valuable time and treasure to wipe polio off the face of the earth. THANK YOU.

At 10:22AM on 19 April 2010, Kay Curtis wrote: I witnessed first hand what Polio victims go through on my recent trip to India on the Polio Vision Team 2010. It was the most rewarding experience in my life. I was very happy to be a part of the team. A great big THANK YOU to the Gates Foundation for helping Rotariy Lead the way in the eradication of Polio. As a Rotarian I know that we can do it.

At 2:19PM on 16 April 2010, Mary McManus wrote: I am a polio and post polio survivor who is passionate about helping to create a Polio Free World and help polio and post polio survivors worldwide. Due to symptoms of PPS, I cannot commit to regular attendance at Rotary meetings but I do speak at Rotary Clubs, and other venues and draw attention to the cause at every speaking engagement I have. Let us also direct our attention to helping the children crippled by polio. Once we eradicate the disease then all attention can be focused on the rehab and care of the world's children who have been affected by polio. Thank you Rotary for all you are doing and I am doing my part because I know first hand the devastating effects of the disease.

At 12:50PM on 16 April 2010, Rtn. H. L. Ravi, DGN, RI 3180 wrote: We should not loose hope. Small pox virus has been wiped out from the face of the earth. Likewise, we shall give the final kick to polio virus and then only we will relax. Try to talk more about polio eradication to non rotarians also.

At 10:48AM on 16 April 2010, rtn.senthil s.kumar wrote: together we achieve to eradicate the word polio from dictionary itself.

At 10:08AM on 16 April 2010, PDG. Dr.P.Narayana wrote: Excellent motivation. Right message at the right time.

At 10:08AM on 16 April 2010, Richard Majewski wrote: I am convener of the May 2011 district 9350 AGM in Cape Town and would like to invite Mr Gates as our guest speaker to focus attention where a lot of the money is actually spent, and to help motivate the small band of Rotarians doing enormous work in the region. How do I go about posting an invitation?

At 10:07AM on 16 April 2010, conrad grant wrote: Thank God for this great initiative to eradicate Polio from the earth .Fellow Rotarians This is A god given initiative please keep up the good work. From PP Conrad Montego Bay Rotary Club .District 7020

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