Rotarians throughout Rotary International are enthusiastically committed to the drive to wipe out polio from the world. Since Rotary became involved in polio eradication in 1985, the number of reported polio cases has fallen from 350,000 a year to 1000; 125 endemic countries have been reduced to just 4 – Afghanistan, India, Nigeria and Pakistan; and two billion children have been protected from the disease.
Bill and Melinda Gates (of Microsoft fame) have challenged Rotary to raise $200 million to match the wonderful donation from their Foundation.
What is Polio?
Polio is a viral disease that can damage the nervous system and cause paralysis. The polio virus enters the body through the mouth, usually from hands contaminated with the faeces of an infected person. However, polio is preventable by immunisation. Polio mainly affects children under five years of age, but the vaccine almost always protects a child for life and that is why almost all children in Britain have already been vacinated.
The Purple Pinkie Project
During the National Immunisation Days the children who have been given the vaccine are identified by putting a purple dye on the little finger on the left hand – the dye lasts for a week or two before wearing off. It prevents double dosage but also millions of children in polio-endemic countries know that a freshly marked purple pinkie means freedom from the disease.
So, what can we do about it?
Thanks for Life is a purpose built initiative, supported by Rotary clubs in Great Britain and Ireland, to raise £1 million for the End Polio Now campaign in response to the Bill and Melinda Gates challenge. It is timed for February 23, 2010, Rotary’s Birthday and the period around it (February 20 – 28).
During this week, Thurso Rotary Club will be raising awareness and funds through displays in Caithness Horizons and local shop windows, ‘Purple Pinkie’ events with all local schools and some members growing goatee beards and dying them purple for the dedicated week.
At the ‘Purple Pinkie’ events Rotarians or members from Thurso High School Interact Club will be looking to make pupils aware of what polio is, what we are doing to help remove this disease from the children of the world and raise funds from the pupils – a donation of £1 will help to fight polio and save 5 children’s lives! So, wear something purple, or get your pinkie marked with a purple stamp to show your support.
Ask Rotarians what they get out of Rotary, and each will give a different answer. Some enjoy the social aspect, others appreciate business networking opportunities and all love the chance to give something back to the community. But one thing remains constant, every Rotarian has fun. There is a broad range of activities for members, including fundraising, project development, liaising with the community and working with schools, as well as hands-on work in developing countries. Clubs usually meet weekly for breakfast, lunch or dinner in a friendly, social atmosphere and meetings often include a talk on a subject of general interest by a Rotarian or an outside speaker.
