Especially in the United States,
polio as a disease is an extremely rare case; it borders on being an
afterthought for many when it comes to health risks. Unfortunately, this is not
the case for those in the extreme minority and those in other countries. A
debilitating disease that leads to a potentially fatal paralysis, the
poliovirus has been battered but not yet broken. On this year's World Polio
Day, which is October 24, Rotary
International is hosting events all across the globe to aid the continued
and soon-to-be victorious push for the worldwide eradication of polio.
The event will have multiple experts
and informational panels, designed to educate all involved on not only how the
poliovirus is still affecting vulnerable communities worldwide, but also how we
can help to put the virus down for good. These events will have donation
opportunities as well as a multitude of accounts from those on both sides of
the fight against the virus. You can both locate and register for any of these
by visiting the World Polio Day website HERE.
For most Americans, especially right
now, polio often doesn't even figure on the laundry list of health issues and
risks at hand. Indeed, there is a different malady that has been eating up all
of our time and continues to do so. Polio's diminutive stature was not always
the case, however; the poliovirus was once the scourge of a myriad of American
children. According to the CDC, over 35,000 people were annually debilitated by
the virus. Of course, the (perhaps best known for its oral nature) vaccine was
a massive success, and cases dwindled to negligible numbers within a few
decades. Other countries, particularly poorer regions, have not been so lucky,
and ridding the world of the disease entirely is Rotary International's end
goal in setting up these events and fundraisers.
It is rare that we, as a people,
find ourselves on the cusp of something so momentous as completely eradicating
a virulent disease; indeed, it seems like every war we wage in this category is
never-ending and simply a battle of attrition. The fight against polio is
different, though, because we truly are at the cusp of its annihilation. So,
make it a point to show your support this October 24 and help this noble cause
achieve its now-tangible goal.
