Polio Plus

Peoria North current leader for 2025 End Polio Now Champions Award!
By PDG Jim Erickson
D5495 End Polio Now Chair
 
As of November 20, 2024 the top eight clubs in the District 5495 End Polio Now Champions Award competition are, in order, Peoria North, Sedona Red Rocks, E-Club of the Southwest, Scottsdale North, Mohave Sunrise, Mesa West, Sedona, and Silver Creek (Snowflake, Taylor). Any of these clubs could wind up as the overall winner. For that matter any club could wind up the winner with large enough contributions through the remainder of the Rotary Fiscal Year.
 
The District Conference this year opens on May 1st. District Governor Michelle will be presenting the End Polio Now Champions Award at the conference. Keep in mind that there is always a delay with Rotary International getting donations posted on their website. Clubs have and individuals should make their contributions to PolioPlus sooner than later.
 
Now is the time to make a difference in the battle against polio. As of today (November 23, 2024 ) there have been 72 confirmed cases of paralytic polio reported this year, as compared to 11 last year. Pakistan has reported 49 cases and Afghanistan 23 cases. Variant (circulating vaccine derived) polio cases are quite prevalent in Africa.
 
As a famous Navel commander said many years ago, “Don’t give up the ship.” We can do this!
District Polio Champions competition enters final stretch run!
 
While many District 5495 Rotarians will be enjoying the sun and sand, as well as the District conference in Puerto Panasco, Sonora Mexico during the first weekend in May, let us not forget that the first weekend in May also begins the Triple Crown racing season with the Kentucky Derby.
 
For those into horse racing, and mint julips, there is nothing more exciting than watching the horses round the final turn and begin the stretch run.
 
The competition for the Polio Champions Award has also entered the stretch run. The top seven clubs in the competition as of mid April are Sun City West, Sedona, Prescott Frontier, Gilbert, Sedona Red Rocks, Mesa West and E-Club of the Southwest.
 
Sadly only 39 of our District clubs have contributed to End Polio Now. There is still time for non-contributors to rectify that situation and also time for other clubs to up their contributions. The competition will run until mid to late June.
 
The winning club will be presented with the district polio champion trophy (left) to hold for the 2024-25 year.