President’s Message

WHILE October is officially observed as “Economic and Community Development Month” in Rotary International’s annual calendar, it also holds a deeply significant global observance: World Polio Day – October 24.

Every October 24, Rotary International and its partners in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) unite to celebrate World Polio Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness, renewing commitment, and mobilizing support to finally end polio worldwide. This date honors Dr. Jonas Salk, who developed the first successful polio vaccine. Across the globe, Rotary Clubs mark the occasion through awareness drives, fundraising events, vaccination campaigns, and educational programs to remind the world that the fight against polio is not yet over.

Thus, for Rotarians, October is both a month of empowering communities and eradicating disease — two causes deeply intertwined. After all, healthy communities are the foundation of economic progress, and eradicating polio is one of the greatest humanitarian goals of our time. In essence, October in Rotary stands as a powerful reminder of service in action: helping people build better lives, while ensuring that every child, everywhere, lives free from the threat of polio.

Few humanitarian efforts in modern history have been as remarkable, enduring, and impactful as Rotary International’s campaign to end polio. What began as a bold dream more than three decades ago has become one of the world’s most successful public health initiatives — a testament to Rotary’s unwavering commitment to service, collaboration, and compassion. The End Polio Now campaign stands not only as a fight against a disease but also as a symbol of what humanity can achieve when united by a common purpose.

Rotary’s journey toward eradicating polio began in 1979, when Rotarians launched a small vaccination project in the Philippines, immunizing six million children. That modest beginning ignited a global movement. By 1985, Rotary had established the PolioPlus program, the first and largest private-sector initiative supporting a public health goal of such magnitude. The aim was clear and ambitious — to rid the world of poliomyelitis, a crippling and sometimes fatal disease that primarily affects children.

Through relentless dedication, Rotary has mobilized millions of volunteers and contributed over US$2 billion to immunization efforts. But perhaps even more significant than the funds is the advocacy and groundwork laid by Rotarians around the world. They have reached the remotest villages, crossed mountains and rivers, and braved conflict zones to ensure that every child — regardless of geography, poverty, or circumstance — receives the life-saving drops of the polio vaccine.

Rotary’s work, however, did not stand alone. The organization helped establish the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) in 1988, a historic partnership with the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and later, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Together, these partners have reduced global polio cases by over 99%, from an estimated 350,000 cases annually to only a handful today. What was once a disease found in more than 125 countries now lingers in only a few — a monumental triumph of perseverance and cooperation.

The campaign has not been without obstacles. Political instability, misinformation, and logistical challenges continue to threaten progress in some areas. Yet Rotary’s resilience never wavers. The organization remains steadfast in its message: We are this close — a phrase that reflects both how far the world has come and how determined Rotarians remain to finish the job.

Beyond the numbers and milestones, the End Polio campaign embodies the very essence of Rotary’s motto, “Service Above Self.” It shows that service, when driven by empathy and sustained by action, can transform the course of human history. The campaign has also strengthened global health systems, improved disease surveillance, and built trust within communities — lasting benefits that extend far beyond polio itself.

Today, as we stand on the brink of history, Rotary’s role in eradicating polio remains one of its proudest legacies. It is proof that collective will, guided by compassion and perseverance, can overcome even the most daunting challenges. When the world finally celebrates the last case of polio, it will not only mark the end of a disease — it will celebrate the triumph of humanity’s shared commitment to a better, healthier world.

Rotary’s End Polio campaign reminds us that service, when fueled by hope and determination, has the power to change the world — one child, one vaccine, one act of kindness at a time.