Rotary Club of LaSalle Centennial Raises $6,956 to Combat Polio

The Rotary Club of LaSalle Centennial has made a significant contribution to the ongoing global fight against polio, raising a total of $6,956.85 through its annual Pizza for Polio campaign. This amount includes $2,318.95 collected locally, which will be amplified by a matching grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. This initiative supports the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), a collaborative effort aimed at eradicating this debilitating disease worldwide.

On October 21, in honor of World Polio Day, several local pizzerias partnered with the Rotary Club to donate a portion of their sales. Participating establishments included Antonino’s Original Pizza, Bullseye Pizza, Capri Pizzeria, Oven 360, OG Pizza, and Slice of Pi, all of which contributed to the fundraising efforts. The Rotary Club expressed its gratitude to these businesses and the community for their support in purchasing pizza to aid the cause.

The funds raised will be directed to the GPEI, a public-private partnership that includes national governments and key organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), Rotary International, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), UNICEF, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The mission of the GPEI is to eliminate polio globally, a goal that has become increasingly attainable.

Polio remains endemic in only two countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Until the virus is eradicated in these regions, there remains a risk for all nations, particularly those with fragile health systems and ongoing interactions with affected areas. Successfully eradicating polio would signify only the second instance in history of a human disease being completely eliminated, following the successful eradication of smallpox.

The Rotary Club of LaSalle Centennial is committed to playing a pivotal role in this global effort. With the continued support of the community and strong international partnerships, the club is optimistic about bringing the world closer to a polio-free future. Members gathered for fellowship and pizza during the fundraiser, showcasing their dedication not only to local engagement but also to the larger mission of eradicating polio worldwide.