2023 Sundowner for Polio Plus
International Director Sandra McGuire welcomed everyone and reminded us that the evening was a fundraiser for End Polio Now. Everyone had received a lucky door prize ticket on entry and was also given the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets in aid of the cause.
Polio is a paralysing and potentially deadly infectious disease that most commonly affects children under the age of five. There is no cure but, thanks to vaccines, it is preventable.
Rotary has been working to eradicate polio for more than 35 years and the goal to rid the world of this disease is closer than ever. Rotary members have contributed more than $2.1 billion and countless volunteer hours to protect nearly 3 billion children in 122 countries from this paralyzing disease.
We can be very proud of the work Rotary does for this program. However, the fight is far from over. Today, polio remains endemic only in Afghanistan and Pakistan. But it’s crucial to continue working to keep other countries polio-free. If all eradication efforts stopped today, within 10 years polio could paralyze as many as 200,000 children each year. We must remain diligent.
Following a presentation by our member Barbara Johnson, Sandra drew the lucky door prize and the many raffle prizes. A highlight of the evening was chief judge, Beth Baker's announcement of winners of the inaugural Karrinyup Rotary Photography Competition, the proceeds of which went to Kids Cancer Support Group.
Finally, we celebrated our Rotary Youth Exchange student Karolina's 18th birthday with a fabulous cake. Karolina was delighted that her placement officer Jill Hanna came along to join in the festivities.
Sandra thanked everyone for coming and for the generous support shown to the program. She gave special thanks to our sponsors for donating the raffle prizes.