Page 6 - 2024年10月號

Urchick dons a baseball
jersey during a July
fundraiser for PolioPlus
at the home of the
Pittsburgh Pirates.

It takes a team

W ith World Polio Day on 24 October, challenges our eradication efforts have faced this year.
The Rotary world was heartbroken to learn about
I’m proudly rooting for Rotary as we
the tragic passing in August of Aidan O’Leary, director
team up around the world to End
Polio Now.
I had the honor of attending a Strike Out Polio for polio eradication at the World Health Organization.
I knew Aidan and worked with him directly. He
event in July at PNC Park, home of the Pittsburgh was a tireless advocate in the fight against polio and
Pirates MLB team. The Rotary Club of Delmont- a kind, genuine man. We will remember him both for
Salem hosted the event, which raised $1.3 million his advocacy and his warmth.
for PolioPlus. But where there is hardship, there is also hope. I
Later in the summer, I joined members of our feel hopeful whenever I consider the countless ways
PHOTOGRAPHS: (PORTRAIT) LUCY HEWETT; (STADIUM) JOHN HEWKO
Rotary family in supporting the Más Millas Menos Rotary supports the fight every day to eradicate polio.
Polio (More Miles Less Polio) bike ride. Felipe Meza As people of action, we don’t have the luxury of
Chávez and his team rode all the way from Ciudad giving in to despair, even in the face of tragedy. The
Juárez, Mexico, to One Rotary Center in Evanston, best way to honor Aidan’s memory is by teaming up
Illinois, to raise money and awareness. The ride took and reaching our goal to End Polio Now.
12 days, and Felipe and his team collected more than We made a promise to the children of the world and
$100,000 to support the fight against polio. It was their families. It is incumbent upon us, together with
a joy to greet them as they arrived in Evanston. our global partners, to end this threat once and for all.
And I was thrilled to see Team End Polio raise There are so many ways we can team up to
global awareness around the 2024 Paris Olympics. eradicate polio. You can donate to the End Polio Now
This world-class roster of athletes, global leaders, campaign, join or initiate a PolioPlus Society in your
and polio eradication supporters came together to club or district, or take inspiration from the fundrais-
advocate for a world where no child has to live in ers I mentioned above.
fear of being paralyzed by polio. Some of the athletes I encourage Rotary members around the world to
on Team End Polio are polio survivors themselves, continue to seek out new teammates, so that together,
adding weight to their advocacy. we end polio.
These are just a few examples of the many ways Join the team
Rotary has teamed up recently to End Polio Now. and help make
It is vital that we continue to seek out and recruit STEPHANIE A. URCHICK polio history at
teammates in polio eradication, especially after the President, Rotary International endpolio.org.

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