We sat down with the Canadian team behind the global effort to eradicate polio

Polio isn’t something most of us here in Canada think about anymore. Once a global health crisis, the disease has been pushed to the brink of eradication thanks to decades of tireless work.

However, the fight isn’t over just yet. Today, polio remains endemic only in Afghanistan and Pakistan. But it’s still crucial to continue working to keep other countries polio-free.

Rotary is an organization that’s been working to eradicate polio for more than 35 years — and thankfully, eliminating the disease across the world is now closer than ever. We spoke to Jennifer Jones, Past President of Rotary International, to learn more about Rotary’s essential progress.

The problem, and the solution

Past President Jennifer Jones at Rotary’s World Polio Day 2022 (Rotary)

In case you don’t know, polio (poliomyelitis) is a paralyzing and potentially deadly infectious disease that most commonly affects children under the age of 5.

It spreads from person to person, often through contaminated water, and can cause lifelong disability — or even death. There’s no cure, but it can be prevented.

That’s why since 1985, Rotary has contributed over $2.9 billion and countless volunteer hours to vaccinate nearly 3 billion children. Rotary’s advocacy work has also influenced government decisions to contribute more than $10 billion to eradication efforts.

Tayyaba Gul (right), Rotary Club of Islamabad, and Parveen Ajmal, Lady Health Worker, talk to women with families during a door-to-door campaign in Pakistan (Rotary)

Upon seeing their bold promise to rid the world of the disease, Jones felt compelled to get involved.

“What drew me in was seeing firsthand the real impact: Meeting survivors, talking with health workers on the frontlines, and understanding how something as simple as a few drops of vaccine can protect a child’s future,” Jones tells Daily Hive.

“What keeps me going is the knowledge that we are incredibly close.”

Jones’s passion is driven by both hope and a sense of urgency. Above all, she wants people to know that despite how far we’ve come, polio’s threat hasn’t disappeared — and the time to act is now.

Health workers at a polio-vaccine transit post in Antock, Punjab, Pakistan (Rotary)

“Ending polio is one of humanity’s great success stories in the making,” she says. But it’s not a relic of history, she emphasizes.

“It’s still here, still paralyzing children, still stealing futures. But here’s the extraordinary truth — we can stop it. Right now,” she says. “We have the tools. We have the science. We have the systems. The only thing we need is the will.”

One of the biggest challenges, Jones explains, is complacency. Because if all eradication efforts stopped today, within 10 years, polio could paralyze as many as 200,000 children each year.

“If we don’t finish the job, it could come roaring back. It’s a plane ride away from anywhere in the world. That’s why we need continued political will, funding, and public awareness to drive us over the finish line.”

How Canadians can help

Day one of the Subnational Immunization Days in Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India (Rotary)

Polio may seem like a world away, but Canadians actually play a crucial role in the global fight to end it. “Canadian donations directly fund life-saving vaccines, on-the-ground health workers, community education, and critical disease surveillance,” says Jones. 

And thanks to a matching agreement with the Gates Foundation, every single donation to Rotary is tripled — your support goes three times as far!

“Every dollar helps reach more children, close the immunization gaps, and build capacity that will benefit these communities after polio has been eradicated,” Jones says. “Canadians have long played a leadership role in global health, and this is one area where we truly punch above our weight.”

Whether you choose to donate, raise awareness, or simply learn more, your support can make a huge difference, says Jones. “This is a Canadian story, a Rotary story, and a global story. Let’s finish what we started and make polio history — together.”

Head over to Rotary’s website to learn more about how you can help eradicate polio for good or make a donation today.