To learn more about Rotary's dedication to the eradication of Polio, please click here.
One Team. One Dream. A Polio-Free World!
When Rotary formed PolioPlus in 1985 as the founding partner of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative to end polio, polio was paralyzing 1,000+ children every single day in 125 polio-endemic countries. Because vaccines work, just 2 countries remain wild polio-endemic. Learn more a EndPolio.org.
"I am from a generation who has witnessed the devastating effects of polio. When I discovered how close we were to eradicating polio, I was very motivated to be a part of this movement. It is so rare when you can accomplish something so spectacular."- Angelique Kidjo, singer-songwriter, a Rotary Polio Ambassador, UNICEF Global Ambassador. Click to watch a 4-minute video of Bill Gates as he thanks Rotary but also states, "As long as polio exists anywhere, it is a threat to spread back everywhere."
Here in Rotary District 5890, polio touched the lives of people we know and love!
Below are four personal stories to learn how polio, a virus which is as easy to catch as the common cold, impacted their lives.
- Wayne is a Rotarian and polio-survivor
- Tish is the sister of Emi, a Rotarian
- Beth & Butch are the grandparents of Michelle which shares their beautiful love story.
- DJ which is a 2nd generation Rotarian that helped vaccinate children in Nigeria alongside his dad which is also a Rotarian
Although India defeated polio over a decade ago, polio survivors still require specialized care. In this video, meet Sandeep Tyagi, a dedicated craftsman creating custom orthotics as unique as each patient. His work at St. Stephen’s Hospital in Delhi, India is changing lives, one step at a time.
How can polio be prevented? Two important tools help to prevent polio – two safe, effective vaccines. Find out about the oral polio vaccine and the inactivated poliovirus vaccine and their roles in the polio eradication effort.
If enough people in a community are immunized against polio, the virus will be deprived of susceptible hosts and will die out. High levels of vaccination coverage must be maintained to stop transmission and prevent outbreaks occurring.
Rotary International is a founding member of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative which is constantly assessing the optimal use of the different types of vaccine to prevent paralytic polio and stop poliovirus transmission in different areas of the world.
we're heading to a Polio Free World!
2025 WORLD POLIO DAY: ONE DAY, ONE FOCUS, ENDING POLIO!
Friday, October 24th is World Polio Day!
Our Goal is Global Polio Eradication!
A Win Against Polio is a Win For Global Health!
World Polio Day is Friday, October 24th. Since 1985, Rotarians have been relentlessly working to eradicate polio!. We invite everyone to attend one of the following End Polio Now events here in the Houston area to help create awareness and help wipe polio off the planet!
In an effort to eradicate polio, the District 5890 PolioPlus Committee is having two family-friendly FUNraising events.
See sections below for details about both of these FUN-Raisers!
- 2025 "Motorcycle Ride to End Polio Now" - Saturday, October 18th - See story below
- "2nd Annual Pumpkins for Polio" at First Colony Mall on October 23rd - 25th (Thursday, Friday & Saturday) - See Story below!
Funds raised at each event will go to Rotary International's "PolioPlus" Fund to help eradicate this dreadful disease. What's the "plus" in PolioPlus? Click here to discover the reason!
See details below for each FUNraiser!
Questions? Click here to email Art Bautista, District 5890 PolioPlus Committee Chair
Saturday, October 18th Is Our 2025 Motorcycle "Ride To End Polio Now"
Let's kick off the 2025 World Polio Day with a big bang to #EndPolioNow
We'll #UniteForGood with all the riders in Texas. We invite motorcycle riders from all Rotary and Rotaract clubs, the International Fellowship of Motorcycling Rotarians, plus their friends & families! Everyone is welcome to join us Wipe Polio Off The Planet!
We have two Rotary club team leaders, Past District Governor Chris Schneider (Memorial-Spring Branch Rotary Club) and his wife, Ute Schneider, with the Space Center Rotary Club, that are the organizers for this event.
Where are you riding? Meet at Buc-ees Gas Station at 11151 Shadow Creek Pkwy in Pearland the enjoy the ride to Blessing Hotel in Blessing, TX 77419
If you are not a major Donor for our Foundation, all your donation will be matched with points to elevate your Paul Harris Fellowship level.
Click here to email Rotarian Ute Schneider if you are interested or have any questions.
Donate to The Rotary Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit, help End Polio Now - Click Here
District 5890's 2nd Annual "Pumpkins For Polio" to END POLIO NOW - Pumpkin Decorating Contest
Questions about the event or learn more about your Rotary club participating?
Click here to email Karen Blakeman, D5890 Pumpkins for Polio Event Committee
📅 Date: Thursday, October 23rd to Saturday, October 25th
📍 Location: First Colony Mall
🗺️ Address: 16535 Southwest Fwy, Sugar Land TX 77479
📍 Location: First Colony Mall
🗺️ Address: 16535 Southwest Fwy, Sugar Land TX 77479
Funds raised at this event will go to Rotary International's "PolioPlus" Fund to help eradicate this dreadful disease. What's the "plus" in PolioPlus? Click here to discover the reason!
Your $1 becomes $3! The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will match every dollar 2-for-1, tripling your impact!
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"PUMPKINS FOR POLIO" FUNraiser to END POLIO NOW
For the 2025 World Polio Day, District 5890 is planning a great collaborative fundraiser for all D5890 to come together, have FUN, and raise funds to help wipe polio of the planet!
District Governor Tom Kelchner's goal is for each club that participates to raise funds for Rotary's PolioPlus Fund to eradicate polio. Join us for a fun and impactful fundraiser that brings together creativity and compassion to help wipe polio off the planet!
Our District 5890 funds for PolioPlus will be matched 2-for-1 by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation raising to help End Polio Now!
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PUMPKIN JUDGING CONTEST
Houston area Rotary clubs have decorated pumpkins, and we need your help to choose the best one!
Houston area Rotary clubs have decorated pumpkins, and we need your help to choose the best one!
Here's how it works:
- Purchase a ticket for just $1. (We'll also have QR Codes there for different donation levels)
- Place your ticket in the container by your favorite pumpkin.
- Every dollar you spend will be donated to Rotary's PolioPlus Fund, A 501(C)3 non-profit, to END POLIO NOW and matched 2-for-1 to help End Polio Now!
Come out to support a great cause, enjoy the creative pumpkin designs, and help us make history by ending polio once and for all! 🎃
Questions? Click here to email Karen Blakeman, D5890 Pumpkins for Polio Event Chair
The global eradication of Polio is Rotary's promise to the children of the world!
Be a Rotary Polio Champion...Join our Rotary District 5890 PolioPlus Society!
Pledge to contribute at least $100 each year until polio has been full eradicated and the world is polio free!
District 5890 PolioPlus Society Members will receive a membership lapel pin depicting a child receiving two drops of polio vaccine and a PolioPlus Society Membership. We look forward to properly recognizing you for your commitment as a Polio Eradication Champion!
See below for "5 Reasons Why We Must Eradicate Polio", our PolioPlus Society Membership Form, and the super easy ways to make your donation!
Ever Wondered What's The "Plus" In PolioPlus?
Well, lives are changed by the "Plus" in PolioPlus!
The “plus” is something else that is provided as a part of the polio eradication campaign. It might be a hand-operated tricycle for a polio victim or access to water. It might be additional medical treatment, bed nets, or soap. A 2010 study estimates that vitamin A drops given to children at the same time as the polio vaccine have prevented 1.25 million deaths by decreasing susceptibility to infectious diseases.
Together, let's End Polio Now & FOREVER!
Join the District 5890 PolioPlus Society!
Let's keep our promise to protect children!
Pledge to contribute at least $100 each year until polio has been full eradicated and the world is polio free!
Here's How to Donate to Rotary's PolioPlus Fund
Choose a one-time donation of $100 or more, or a recurring donation in the amount and frequency of your choice. (consider $10/month as the "easy way" to become a District 5890 PolioPlus Society Member)
3 BILLION Children Immunized
We must Advocate, Donate & Educate to END POLIO NOW & FOREVER!
21,000,000 cHILDREN SAVED FROM THE PARALYSIS OF POLIO SINCE 1988
PolioPlus is the most ambitious program in Rotary’s 120-year-history. The Global Polio Eradication Initiative it is the volunteer arm. Rotary has led the private sector to rid the world of this crippling disease for over 30 years. PolioPlus is recognized worldwide as a model of public-private cooperation in pursuit of a humanitarian goal. Click to find out more about polio.
In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, Rotary's Polio Infrastructure was utilized to help tackle COVID-19 around the globe - Learn how - Click here!
CLICK HERE to visit Rotary's World Polio Day Resource Center with ideas and material to plan and promote your club event. There are videos, materials, banners & posters, Infographics, event materials, press releases, Instagram and Facebook materials, and more!
3 Polio Survivors playing
Why Eradicate Polio?
To end polio, we must stop transmission of the virus in the three countries where it remains endemic: Afghanistan, and Pakistan. We must also keep all other countries polio-free until we're certain it won't resurface. Up to 60 high-risk countries still operate large-scale immunization campaigns to protect children against polio.
Polio Global Eradication Initiative
The goal of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative is to complete the eradication and containment of all:
- Wild polio viruses
- Vaccine-related polio viruses
- Sabin polio viruses,
So that no child ever again suffers paralytic poliomyelitis.