Rotary Districts 6630, 6650 and 6600 Fundraiser with the Cleveland Guardians, 2 August 2024
Dr. Albert J. Tien, Chagrin Valley Rotary Club, District 6630 Polio Plus Chair
Did you know that 12.5 million children are totally unvaccinated? The wild strain of polio WPV1 still exists in Afghanistan and Pakistan? Outbreaks of the weakened strain of polio cVDPV1 and cVDVP2 are presently occurring in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and in northwestern Nigeria? Cross border spread has re-infected countries such as Angola, Liberia, Senegal and Sierra Leone? A new strain of cVDPV2 has emerged from the OPV2 vaccine in South Sudan although that vaccine had never been used in this country?The reservoirs of the wild strain and the spread of the weakened virus are due in part to “Zero Dose Children”. These are children which have never been vaccinated against any communicable diseases. The causes include living in 
conflict zones, remote villages and dense low-income urban areas.
conflict zones, remote villages and dense low-income urban areas. Since 1979, Rotary members have advocated for government support, volunteered, helped build a global network of clinics and health professionals to store, distribute and vaccinate zero dose children and at risk individuals. Together with our partners, over 3 billion children have been vaccinated against polio in 122 Countries and geographic regions. Rotary members have contributed more than US $2.6 Billion to polio eradication efforts worldwide.
In the USA, the last wild strain was eliminated in 1979; however, in 2022, an unvaccinated man in Rockland county, New York was infected by a weaken strain. The Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization (March 2024) agree that “antivaxxers” and “Zero Dose Children” pose a continued risk of international spread of polio virus and still remains a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).
So how can enjoying America’s favorite pass time help eliminate polio and other preventable communicable diseases? First, just by purchasing tickets to the August 2nd Cleveland Guardians vs. Baltimore Orioles Game. Tickets can be purchase from the District website. Tickets must be obtained by July 16th. Second, purchase raffle tickets. Grand Prize: First pitch at a future Guardians Game; Second Prize: 2 field box tickets for a future game; Third Prize: Autographed Baseball. Third, bid on silent auction baskets. Individuals, local clubs, clusters are encouraged to donate baskets. All proceeds from the raffle tickets and the silent auction as well as a portion of the ticket price will be donated to Rotary International End Polio Now Campaign for our winning homerun against Polio!!For details, contact Stew Buchanan: (330) 607-1442 e-mail: stewb1898@aol.com
Al Tien: (610) 810-8433 e-mail: atien@me.com
