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We’re so close to eradicating polio.

Here’s why we need $1.5 billion

more to finish the job.

By Ryan Hyland and Erin Biba

When was polio last in Europe?

If you guessed 2002,

the year the region was certified polio-free,

you’re wrong.

The last time polio affected a child in Europe was 2015.

Two Ukrainian children were diagnosed with paralytic polio,

and that likely means that many more were infected

and didn’t show symptoms.

At least one Western news outlet deemed the outbreak “crazy” —

but the reality is that no place on Earth is safe from polio

until the disease is eradicated everywhere.

Ukraine had fully vaccinated only 50 percent

of its children against polio,

and low immunization rates are a recipe for an outbreak.

In this case, a rare mutation in the weakened strain

used in the oral polio vaccine was able to spread because

so many children had not been vaccinated.

To stop it from progressing, the country needed

to administer 6 million vaccines through an emergency program.

“Rotary was there at the beginning of the global effort to eradicate polio,”

says International PolioPlus Committee Chair Michael K. McGovern.

“It would be unfortunate if Rotary isn’t there at the finish line.

We’ve done too much;

we’ve made too much progress to walk away before we finish.”

Finding poliovirus outside Afghanistan, Nigeria, and Pakistan,

the only countries that have yet to eradicate it,

is not unusual.

In 2014, just before the World Cup brought travelers

from all over the planet to Brazil,

poliovirus was detected in the sewage system

at São Paulo’s Viracopos International Airport.

Using genetic testing, officials traced its origin to Equatorial Guinea.

Brazil’s regular vaccination efforts kept the disease

from showing up beyond the airport doors.

Those are frustrating examples for the thousands

of people around the world working to eradicate polio.

The fight has come a long way, but it is far from over.

And while many involved in the effort say we may

detect the final naturally occurring case of polio this year,

getting to that point —

and ensuring that the disease remains gone

— will continue to require money, hard work,

and the support of Rotarians around the world.

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Wednesday April 12

World President Elect Ian Riesley was in Perth

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New Promotions

Rotary Club of Swan Districts

Rotary Club of Swan Districts Ladies Committee Winter Warmer Luncheon

with Guest Speaker Tracy Vo from Channel 9

Swan Districts Football Club Function Centre.

Wednesday May 3rd 2017

10:30am

11:00am Guest Speaker

Cost $35 pp (includes raffle ticket)

Tickets Bett Mitchell 9471 9668

or online Swan Districts Rotary Ladies

BSB: 066-115 A/c No: 1020 3898

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Rotary Club of Karrinyup

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D9465

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updated logo's

“Lift the Lid on Mental Illness Celebrating Hat Day”

. The event will still focus on raising money for mental research,

people are still welcome to celebrate by wearing a hat

and it will still be held on October 10,

but it’s just no longer called Hat Day.

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Around the Clubs

Rotary Club of Southern Districts

SHINE ON AWARDS

Which Focuses on the Abilities of those with Disabilities

Eligible Nominees are people

who are actively involved

in community service for the benefit of others

and have demonstrated a significant level

of achievement

whilst managing a specific medical disorder or disability

These Awards were established to recognise

the outstanding community service given

by people with disabilities,

who by their actions,

serve as "shining examples" in the community.

The Rotary Club of Southern Districts honoured 5 people

who despite their own life challenges,

Find the time and enthusiasm

to support and mentor other disabled people

And to their commitment of helping others

in the Rotary spirit of "Service Above Self",

Presenting the awards was 2016 WA Youth Person of the Year
Vanessa Vlajkovic

Vaneesa Vlajkovic

Much to her surprise Vanessa was also a recipient

Awardees
Grace,, Stacee, Luke., Joanne and Vanessa

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Rotary Clubs of Mandurah
Duck Race

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Rotary Club of Western Endeavour

Members helping out with the Sanitarium Weet-Bix Kids TRYathlon Australia

It's great to see the kids enjoying themselves.

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Rotary Club of South Bunbury

This weekend the club is hosting 3 Tanzanian midwives

who we have brought to Australia to learn best practice

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Rotary Club of Northbridge

Visit to Cordblood bank

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Rotary Club of Geraldton

At our Wednesday night meeting we were visited by

Marjorie Pagani the CEO of Angel Flight.

Angel Flight is a charity that coordinates non-emergency flights

to help country people trying to deal with the triple trouble of bad health

, poor finances and daunting distance.

All flights are free and may involve patients travelling

to medical facilities anywhere in Australia.

Flights are conducted by volunteer pilots in their own aircraft.

Angel flights are hoping to assist community members

in need of a service such as Angel flights.

To get in touch or find more info about Angel Flight

contact them on 1300 726 567 or email mail@angelflight.org.au

or visit their website at angelflight.org.au

Our club committed a donation to Angel Flight

to assist in reimbursement of Pilots for the cost of fuel for the flights.

(The flights are fully funded by the Pilot & Angel Flight reimburse for fuel)

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Rotary Club of Mindarie

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Rotary Clubs of
Rockingham
Applecross

Presentation by the RC Rockingham of a cheque

to RC Applecross, for the Global Grant Project -

- Russian Hospital Hygiene Project in Cambodia.

Past President Paul Acton with PDG John Kevan

and President Ray Bath

The Project will provide 150 hand basins, liquid soap dispensers,

paper towel dispensers, training signage and associated plumbing in wards,

surgical units, the main entrance and corridors.

Training programs for nurses and support staff

in hand washing requirements and a maintenance training program

are essential parts of the project.

Another significant WASH project that will save hundreds of lives.

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Rotary Club of Fremantle

President Kim Passmore with Short Term Exchange student
Scarlett Bunter and her Certificate of Achievement
Scarlett exchanged with D2050 Italy

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Rotary Club of Wanneroo

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Rotary Club of Rockingham

Some of the Rotary Club of Rockingham (Western Australia) members

working at the Rockingham Rotary Markets on the sausage sizzle

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Rotary Club of Mount Lawley

Today was perfect weather for taking our

District 9455 Rotary Youth Exchange student Anna

and AJYCE participants Aki and Haruna

to see the penguins and sea lions down at Rockingham

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Rotary Club of Applecross

The Applecross Rotary 2017 Community and Business Awards.

With an outstanding line up of nominees this year
we were proud to present a total of eight awards
, including four in the Business category
and four in the Community category.

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Club and District Promotions

April

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May

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Rotary Club of Swan Districts Ladies Committee Winter Warmer Luncheon

with Guest Speaker Tracy Vo from Channel 9
Swan Districts Football Club Function Centre.
Wednesday May 3rd 2017
10:30am
11:00am Guest Speaker
Cost $35 pp (includes raffle ticket)
Tickets Bett Mitchell 9471 9668

or online Swan Districts Rotary Ladies

BSB: 066-115 A/c No: 1020 3898

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