In 1985, when Rotary launched its eradication program, there  were an estimated 350,00 new cases of polio in 125 countries. In 2007, Rotary has reduced these cases by 99% thanks to our financial support and the many Rotary volunteers.

       Rotary International announced a partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation on 26 November that will inject a much needed US $200 million into the global effort to eradicate polio.   

    The Rotary Foundation received a $100 million Gates Foundation challenge grant, which Rotary will raise funds to match, dollar for dollar, over three years.

    Rotary will spend the initial $100 million within one year in direct support of immunization activities carried out by the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, spearheaded by the World Health Organization (WHO), Rotary International, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) , and UNICEF.

                                                  

Richard (Bud) Phillis, M.D.

Polio Plus Chair

Betsy Moreland

Vice Chair