In honour of World Polio Day on Wednesday, Oct. 24, the Rotary Club of Abbotsford is hosting an event at the Shoppers Drug Mart at 2332 Whatcom Rd. from 1 to 5 p.m.
Rotarian Mani Fahim, pharmacist/owner of the Whatcom Road Shoppers Drug Mart, and Rotarian Dan Denis, fundraising director, will provide information on the Rotary campaign to eradicate polio.
As well, donations towards the campaign will be accepted.
World Polio Day follows a succession of significant developments that have made 2018 one of the most important years in the history of the polio eradication initiative.
“Rotary has been a driving force behind the gathering together of people and groups in the eradication of polio throughout the world,” said William Bramwell, president of the Abbotsford Rotary Club.
“It is to a large measure the trust that everyone has in the Rotary organization that enables us to lead on to our final goal – the complete elimination of polio.”
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.
Rotary has committed to raising $50 million (US) per year in support of global polio eradication efforts.
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will match Rotary’s commitment 2:1.
The Rotary Club of Abbotsford was formed in 1950 and meets every Tuesday at noon at The Salvation Army Cascade Community Church.
Over the years, the club has accomplished many projects, including the construction of Rotary Stadium, a $3 million sports facility; assisted the Abbotsford Hospice Society with $200,000 toward retiring their mortgage; sponsored a Rotaplast mission to Cebu, Philippines that provided corrective surgery for children with cleft lip and palate; and donated $200,000 to the Abbotsford Regional Hospital and Cancer Centre to purchase equipment and furnishings for the new children’s area.
Visit rotary.org or abbotsfordrotary.com for more information.
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