PHILIPSBURG:--- The Rotary Club of St Maarten-Mid Isle joins all other Rotary clubs worldwide in observing World Polio day on October 24.
In continuing their support for the eradication of polio worldwide the Rotary Club of Maarten Mid-Isle on Saturday, October 20th will host their annual ‘Ramesh Manek ‘End Polio Now’ walk-a-thon fundraising event. Runners, walkers, and cyclist are asked to meet at Tony’s Air Conditioning opposite Carl & Sons Unique Inn in Cole at 5.30am for a prompt start at 6 am, if you cannot make the walk you are welcome to come and support The Rotary Club of St. Maarten-Mid Isle by joining us for fellowship at the breakfast. The ticket cost is USD 15 per person and includes breakfast and a T-shirt. Tickets are available from all Mid Isle Rotarians and can also be purchased at the event. The route is from Tony’s Air Conditioning – Orange Grove road – Waterfront Road – Airport Road – Causeway Bridge – Union Road – Orange Grove Road and back to Tony’s Air Conditioning. In commemoration of World Polio Day, Mid Isle will dedicate their meeting on Tuesday, October 23rd to Polio with ‘A World Great Meal event to End Polio’.
The Rotary Club of St Maarten-Mid Isle would like to ask all citizens of St. Maarten to think about this debilitating disease Polio that has only been removed from our part of the world since the 1960's. You too can be a part of the global effort to eradicate this disease globally very soon as we really are this close to total eradication, by participating in the various efforts to raise the funds needed. These funds help to provide much-needed operational support, medical personnel, laboratory equipment, and educational materials for health workers and parents. Governments, corporations and private individuals all play a crucial role in funding towards the eradication of polio.
Polio Poliomyelitis (polio) is a paralyzing and potentially fatal disease that still threatens children in some parts of the world. The polio virus invades the nervous system and can cause total paralysis in a matter of hours. It can strike at any age but mainly affects children under five. Polio is incurable but completely vaccine-preventable.
Since Rotary and its partners launched the Global Polio Eradication Initiative 30 years ago, the incidence of polio has plummeted by more than 99.9 percent, from about 350,000 cases a year to just 22 cases in 2017. To sustain this progress, and protect all children from polio, Rotary has committed to raising US$50 million per year in support of global polio eradication efforts. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will match Rotary’s commitment 2:1. Without full funding and political commitment, this paralyzing disease could return to previously polio-free countries, putting children everywhere at risk. Rotary has contributed more than US$1.8 billion to ending polio since 1985
Until Polio is eradicated the Rotary Club of St. Maarten-Mid Isle remains fully committed to the global fight for the total eradication of Polio through its awareness and fundraising projects. If you would like to make a donation or learn more about how you can help eradicate polio please contact any Mid Isle Rotarian or leave a message on our facebook page Rotary Club of St. Maarten Mid Isle.
Rotary brings together a global network of volunteer leaders dedicated to tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. Rotary connects 1.2 million members of more than 35,000 Rotary clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas. Their work improves lives at both the local and international levels, from helping families in need in their own communities to working toward a polio-free world. Visit endpolio.org for more about Rotary and its efforts to eradicate polio.
The Rotary Club of St. Maarten-Mid Isle meets Tuesday at 7 pm at Pineapple Pete in Simpson Bay. For more information please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit our facebook page Rotary Club of St. Maarten-Mid Isle.
