Colin Thacker, President of the North Bay Rotary Club and Julie Perry, President of North Bay-Nipissing Rotary Club meet Dr. Bob Scott, chair of the PoliosPlus Committee to discuss fundraising efforts and reach the global Rotary goal of raising 35 million dollars to combat Polio.
A world leader in the fight against Polio made a stop in North Bay on Monday to brief the local Rotary Clubs on its initiative to help eradicate the disease by 2018.
Dr. Bob Scott is the Chair of the International PolioPlus Committee. He’s been touring the globe for nearly three decades to raise awareness and money to combat Polio.
“When we started we were dealing with 1000 cases per day and so far this year we are only dealing with 142 cases this year alone,” says Scott.
There are only three countries still battling the disease; Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria. He says Pakistan has been the biggest challenge.
“In Pakistan, people are getting killed. In the last 2 years over 60 vaccinators and assistants have been shot dead by the Taliban and their friends,” adds Scott.
Rotary World Wide has pledge to raise 35 million dollars this year and Scott is touring local clubs to keep the fundraising efforts fresh and get more partners on board. The North Bay Rotary Club is contributing three thousand dollars. President Colin Thacker says they are also hosting an event at the Davedi Club on October 24th and will most likely surpass that amount. He told Baytoday that the organization is very committed to help eradicate Polio by 2018.
“Coincidently the international convention of Rotary will be Toronto that year, so there will be a lot of celebrating to do, because we’re going to get there you know. Our club and all the clubs around the world are putting money into Polio every year.”
The North Bay – Nipissing Rotary Club was also on hand to hear Dr. Scott message and is also looking at ways to raise money. Each dollar donated by Rotary will be matched 2-1 by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
