Page 9 - August 2018 Gears & Ears

Gears and Ears

Journal of The Rotary Club of Lake Buena Vista
August 2018
Rotary Recognizes Prime Minister Trudeau for Canada’s

Commitment to Ending Polio

TORONTO (June 27, 2018) — In acknowledgment of his government’s efforts to
achieve a polio-free world, Rotary today presented Prime Minister Justin Trudeau with

its Polio Eradication Champion Award at its 109th annual international convention.

Canada has been a champion in the fight to

eradicate polio since 1986, when it became the first
government to formally fund global polio

immunization efforts. Canada has provided over
CAD $750 million in support of a polio-free world, including a $100 million pledge to
global eradication in 2017. Earlier this month, Canada, as host of the G7 summit, was

joined by G7 leaders in affirming a commitment to polio eradication.
“Prime Minister Trudeau has committed Canada to remain a strong partner until polio
is completely eradicated,” said Rotary International President Ian H.S. Riseley. “With

the unwavering support of the Prime Minister and the Canadian government and their
strong assistance with continued vaccination efforts, I’m confident we will rid the world
of polio.”

Later this week, Rotary will announce nearly $50.12 million in support for global

polio eradication efforts in countries where polio is a threat. Since 1988, Rotary has
contributed more than $2.3 billion and countless volunteer hours in the fight to end
polio, with Rotary clubs in Canada donating more than $66.6 million towards polio

eradication. Rotary members throughout Canada travel regularly to polio-threatened
countries to vaccinate children in mass immunization campaigns.

To help create awareness and support for the global effort to protect all children from
polio, Rotary’s international convention will feature two virtual reality videos that will

immerse viewers into the lives of those still impacted by the disease, and what it will
take to eradicate it worldwide. Download the Rotary VR app in Google Play or the
Apple App Store to view “I Dream of an Empty Ward.”

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