Shirley Giltzow is our District 5280 PolioPlus Chair. She is pleased to report that only 3 polio cases have been reported in the world so far this year, in Afghanistan & Pakistan (where there is still military conflict and misunderstandings). The number of cases has steadily decreased from 350,000 annually over the last 3 decades, and we are “This Close” to eradicating polio.

She showed photos of polio vaccination drops being given. This activity has come at a high price, with 65 polio service workers killed in the last 3 years in this war-torn area. This year is the 100th anniversary of the Rotary Foundation, started by Archie Klumpf with $26.50. Last year our District achieved its fundraising goal of 100% of members contributing $26.50/member, the first District in the world of Rotary to accomplish this challenge. Our District goal for fundraising this Rotary year is the same. Bring in your checks (made out to the Rotary Foundation for PolioPlus), which our Club Treasurer can forward to the District.

John Jaacks related his family member experience with polio many years ago. Ralph Black described his medical school experience with the polio epidemic, and Wes Bradford described his participation in the multi-District Polio-Corrective Surgery Project to Uganda in 1998 and to India in 2000.