For the past 10 years, Rotary has fielded a team of around 100 riders to raise money to eradicate polio during a road ride called the Tour de Tucson. Over the years these Rotary riders have raised (with the match from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation) over $45 Million. Last year alone they raised $10 Million. This kind of money provides enough health workers, training and vaccine to immunize three-million children, building a robust fire-wall in over 36 at-risk countries. By denying the polio virus a human host, the virus will die in the wild.
Certification of eradication requires zero new cases for three consecutive years. This can be done. It will cost $1.5 billion. Nations and organizations have pledged $900 million. Rotary, with the Gates Foundation, pledged an additional $450 Million. Now we must make good on these pledges.
I will be a member of the Rotary Riding Team this year. Our goal is to raise $10.4 Million, including the Gates Foundation match. I have personally given $100 towards my pledge of $2,000. I am asking my fellow Traverse City Rotarians for a similar donation which, thanks to the Gates Foundation match, will actually be $300; enough to immunize 100 children.
You have been wonderfully generous in the past when I have asked for your help. Several of you have already donated and I thank you for that. Please join me in supporting this cause. While you are welcome to send me a check payable to the Rotary Foundation, the easiest way is to donate online. CLICK HERE and go to my personal funding page.
The need to eradicate polio is real and success is just around the corner. Eradication, however, is not possible without funds to get the job done.
Thank you. The children and families who will never suffer from this disease thank you, too.
Al Bonney