Gates letter praises Rotary's work toward polio eradication
Rotary International News -- 31 January 2011
In a letter posted on the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation website today, Bill Gates praises Rotary International for its central role in the fight to eradicate polio, and refers to Rotary as a "key partner" in the global effort to rid the world of the crippling disease.
The annual letter from Gates, cochair of the Gates Foundation, focuses on education and polio, and notes that the eradication effort has benefited immensely from Rotary's support. Rotary launched PolioPlus -- a program to immunize the world's children against polio -- in 1985 and became a spearheading partner in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative three years later, along with the World Health Organization, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and UNICEF.
"Everywhere I go to learn about polio, I see Rotary members helping out with the hard work," Gates says in the letter. "I feel sure that with continued support, we will be able to show significant progress."
Gates also mentions that he will be taking three trips focused on polio this year, including additional trips to India and Nigeria.
The Gates Foundation has awarded US$355 million in challenge grants to Rotary for use in the global effort to eradicate polio. Rotary has responded with Rotary's US$200 Million Challenge. As of January, Rotary clubs have raised $160 million.
Gates has also recently joined Rotary's "This Close" campaign, aimed at increasing awareness of and support for polio eradication. More than 20 international and regional luminaries have appeared on billboards, print ads, and in television and radio public service announcements.