Rotarians are encouraging the Tasmanian community to support efforts to eradicate polio today on World Polio Day.
Rotary says thanks to their international ‘End Polio Now’ campaign, the once-rampant worldwide epidemic is now nearing ‘complete eradication,’ only confined to Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Roslyn Teirney, a representative of Rotary Tasmania, says that even though cases remain in other parts of the world, Tasmania is not entirely immune to polio.
“Our passionate Rotarians are committed to raising funds to ensure that we can eliminate this disease and prevent it from returning to our shores,” she said.
In honor of World Polio Day, a series of events are being hosted across Tasmania, including an all-day breakfast at the Elizabeth St Mall between 7am and 2pm raising funds for the cause.
Rotary also plan to hold a cocktail party at the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania, with tickets still available, to hear from Polio survivor and Rotarian Garry Newton.
Newton, who says he contracted the disease as a child, continues to grapple with its lasting effects.
“I was left with permanent paralysis in my legs. So, I’ve worn callipers or braces every day of my life,” Gary said.
“Polio survivors are now the forgotten generation because we’ve lived two generations without the virus in Australia”.
