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AdvocacyFebruary 23, 2013

A Birthday Gift to Help End Polio

Today marks a special day for one of Shot@Life’s valuable partners. February 23 is the 108th anniversary of the founding meeting of Rotary International. The world’s first service club began with just four members; today, Rotary International claims a membership of 1.2 million with over 32,000 clubs across the world.

Rotary International’s PolioPlus program, started in 1985, has raised over $1 billion dollars and inspired policymakers to take concrete steps to stop the crippling effects of this deadly disease. Thanks in part to the tireless advocacy of Rotary, we have reduced polio cases worldwide by 99 percent. Rotary has set the standard for service for 108 years; I hope that it continues doing so for the next 108.

In honor of this remarkable organization’s birthday, you can take action to help end polio once and for all. In the 113th Congress, our elected officials need to know the power of cost-effective vaccines in helping give every child a shot at a healthy life.

Email your representatives in Washington now and ask them to make polio eradication and global vaccines a priority this Congress. We can’t afford to wait.

The inspiring work of 1.2 million members of Rotary clubs around the world has brought global attention to the importance of vaccines in ending polio. As an individual, you too have the power to help make positive, lasting global change.

Make history with Rotary as they celebrate their 108th birthday by contacting your representatives right now. Together, we can achieve the eradication of polio in our lifetimes.

Peter Yeo