In recognition of World Polio Day on October 24, members of the Rotary Club of Kissimmee West will unite with fellow Rotarians from across Osceola County to raise awareness, funds, and support for the global effort to eradicate polio — a vaccine-preventable disease that still affects children in parts of the world today.

“Our Rotary Club has been supporting the efforts to end polio around the world for the 40-year history of our club,” said Kathy Pierson, president of the Rotary Club of Kissimmee West. “This is just one of the many efforts our Rotary Club supports because we represent Service Above Self — when it comes to helping our community locally, but also globally.”

For decades, Rotary members in Kissimmee and throughout Osceola County have worked toward the eradication of polio, which is on the verge of becoming only the second human disease in history to be eliminated. Rotary International has contributed more than $2.9 billion and countless volunteer hours since launching its PolioPlus program in 1985.

In 1988, Rotary joined the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to form the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. Later joined by the Gates Foundation and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the partnership has helped reduce global polio cases by more than 99.9 percent, from an estimated 350,000 cases per year to just a handful today.

Rotary has also committed to raising $50 million annually to support vaccination efforts worldwide. The Gates Foundation continues to match that commitment 2-to-1, resulting in up to $150 million per year to sustain progress and reach every child.

As the Rotary Club of Kissimmee West celebrates its 40th anniversary of Service Above Self, members remain dedicated to both local service and global humanitarian impact. Rotary International connects 1.2 million membersacross more than 45,000 clubs worldwide, working together to create lasting change — from strengthening communities to achieving a polio-free world.

To learn more about Rotary’s efforts to end polio, visit Rotary.org or endpolio.org.
For more information about the Rotary Club of Kissimmee West, visit www.rotaryclubofkissimmeewest.org