Press release in Word Doc

August 30, 2011

MEDIA RELEASE

CONTACT: Tiffany Gering, PR Chair

Chelan Rotary

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (509) 682-4033

tiffany@kozi.com

Chelan Rotary Fights to "End Polio Now"

Did you know that more than 10 million children will be paralyzed in the next 40 years if we fail to eradicate polio? "As long as polio threatens even one child anywhere in the world, children everywhere remain at risk. The stakes are that high" (http://www.rotary.org/en/EndPolio/Pages/ridefault.aspx).

Through Rotary International's PolioPlus program, established in 1985, more than one million Rotarians have volunteered their time and resources to protect more than two billion children in 122 countries from this crippling disease. To date, the organization has contributed more than $700 million -- a figure that will rise to more than $850 million by the time the world is certified free from polio. Even through Rotary's valiant efforts, Polio has reappeared in 14 countries and the hope of eradicating polio by the end of 2012 is in serious doubt. The virus is now resurgent in places where it had disappeared. Polio not only affects individuals and families but erodes economic prosperity in some of the countries least able to act alone to eliminate Polio.

This year Chelan Rotary has again committed itself to send $2,000 to Rotary International in support of Polio Eradication. Chelan Rotarians are displaying "End Polio Now" posters and have brochures available for the public on 1st Friday's. We ask the people of the Chelan Valley to help us "End Polio Now". Your contribution will help Rotary raise $200 million to match $355 million in challenge grants received from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. For more information on how to get involved, please contact Lester Cooper at (425) 319-1278 or by email at lester.cooper@chelanrotary.org.

<< Back