Celebrate World Polio Day
Online, October 21, 2010 (Newswire.com) - The City of Lancaster will be joining Lancaster West Rotary, Lancaster Rotary and Lancaster Sunrise Rotary in proclaiming October 24, 2010 as World Polio Day at 3:00 PM at the Antelope Valley Fair Grounds 2551 W. Ave. H, Lancaster CA.
WORLD POLIO DAY is a positive initiative to create awareness and educate the citizens of Lancaster about the vital importance of eradicating Polio worldwide. Rotary brings 105 years of history to this initiative. Its members are business, professional and community leaders who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards, and help build goodwill and peace in the world. Lancaster West Rotary, Lancaster Rotary and Lancaster Sunrise Rotary are part of the 32,000 Rotary clubs located in more than 200 countries and geographical areas, that initiate service projects to address today's challenges, including illiteracy, disease, hunger, poverty, lack of clean water, and environmental concerns.
Polio eradication has been Rotary's top priority since 1985, with more than $1.2 billion contributed to the effort. When Rotary began its mission to eradicate polio more than 350,000 children were stricken with polio every year, and nearly 1,000 people were affected by the crippling disease every day. Since then, polio cases have been reduced by 99% to fewer than 1,700 cases in 2009. Today only four countries - Afghanistan, India, Nigeria, and Pakistan - remain polio-endemic.
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has awarded US$355 million to Rotary International in the global effort to eradicate polio, $200 million is a challenge grant to Rotary. These funds will provide critical support to polio eradication activities that are spearheaded by RI and its partners.
The Lancaster Rotary Club's combined initiative is one more community effort to invite the citizens of Lancaster to support Rotary's goal. The world stands firmly on the threshold of victory thanks to the achievements of the last 25 years. A polio-free world will be Rotary's ultimate gift to children everywhere, World Polio Day, October 24th is one small step in helping Rotary achieve its goal.
Gus Camacho President of Lancaster West Rotary states, "This is a great joint effort between the Lancaster Rotary Clubs, Rotary International and the City of Lancaster. Along with the City Council, we also expect dignitaries from Rotary International, Senator George Runner's office, State Assemblyman Steve Knight's office and Supervisor Michael Antonovich's office."
For more information, please contact Gus Camacho at 661-945-2609 or Sandy Smith at 661-400-0342.