A Tasmanian charitable foundation has donated $100,000 to the global fight against polio – a contribution that will be matched by $200,000 from the Gates Foundation.
The Des Cooper Foundation announced the donation to Rotary International’s End Polio Now campaign on World Polio Day on Friday.
Marion Cooper, chair of the Des Cooper Foundation and a Rotarian from the Rotary Club of Sandy Bay, led the initiative.
The foundation honours her late husband, prominent Hobart surgeon Des Cooper and has long supported research and assistance for people living with acquired brain injury.
“If polio is eradicated, there will be fewer people in the world living with acquired brain injury caused by polio,” Cooper said.
“The Des Cooper Foundation and Rotary’s mission to end polio are both very close to my heart.”
“Rotary’s goal of ending polio started as a dream of one Queenslander and today, thanks to incredible global effort, the wild poliovirus is only left in two countries.”
New research continues to reveal links between poliomyelitis and acquired brain injury, making the connection between the foundation’s focus and Rotary’s mission especially timely.
Rotary Clubs of Tasmania District Governor Craig Perkins praised the $300,000 contribution.
“Rotary is about doing good in the world and Marion continuously displays this, going above and beyond as a member of Rotary in Tasmania,” he said.
“This incredible gift demonstrates the true spirit of service and is a game-changer for our fundraising efforts here in Tasmania, supporting the final push to make polio the second human disease ever to be eradicated.”
Gary Newton, vice president of Polio Australia, who lives with post-polio syndrome, said the donation had deep personal meaning.
“I live with the long-term effects of this disease and any assistance to end it so others will not have to suffer is an honourable thing.”
“This donation is an inspiring act of solidarity and will move the world one step closer to a polio-free future.”
Around 40,000 Australians still live with the effects of polio.
The donation was recognised at a World Polio Day barbecue in Hobart’s Elizabeth Street Mall.
