Posted on Nov 18, 2019
 
The road to eradicating polio has been a long and difficult one, with Rotary leading the fight since 1985. Going from nearly 350,000 global cases in 1988 to just 10 so far this year has required time, money, dedication, and innovation from thousands of people who are working to end the disease worldwide. The Rotary Club of St. Kitts, eager to assist in the effort, executed a World Polio Day fundraising event on October 30th. This fundraiser took entertaining form of a Movie Screening of the iconic film Terminator.
 
 
The event space at the Caribbean Cinemas Megaplex was festively decorated for the occasion and guests arrived at the fundraiser elegantly attired in purple, the colour that represents Polio awareness. 
 
 
The Wine & Cheese reception quickly turned festive with guests mingling, laughing and enjoying the sumptuous hors d'oeuvres and free flow of wine. The event was made even more memorable due to the presence of District Governor Trevor Blake, who was able to attend amid his hectic schedule. 
 
 
A powerful presentation followed, featuring Rotary’s decades-long efforts at eradication and the life-changing effects that vaccination has had worldwide. Guests were thanked by Past President Leah Crag-Chaderton who spearheaded the event as the current Director of the Rotary Foundation. Guests were then ushered to their seats to enjoy the thrilling and action-packed ‘Terminator: Dark Fate’ movie premiere.
 
 
The Rotary Club of St. Kitts wishes to thank all guests as well as Caribbean Cinemas, Opus Fines Wines & Spirits, G Squared Arts and Island Illuminations for making this event possible. 
 
If you wish to find out more about Polio and would like to contribute, please contact the Rotary Club of St. Kitts via stkittsrotary7030@gmail.com. Please note that the Gates Foundation matches donations raised through Rotary on a two to one basis, such that a $1 donation becomes $3 to fight polio.
 
Some interesting facts about Polio:
  • Poliomyelitis (polio) is a paralyzing and potentially fatal disease that still threatens children in some parts of the world. Polio is incurable, but completely vaccine-preventable
  • The colour purple signifies the colour dye used on the little finger of a child who has received their life saving polio drops 
  • Rotary International along with its partners have been fighting against Polio for the last 3 decades and through their efforts the world over has seen the reduction of the incidence of the disease to 99.9%.  

About the Rotary Club of St. Kitts
The Rotary Club of St. Kitts is an organization of vibrant, civic-minded professionals who are working together to improve St. Kitts and the world through service and giving back to the community. The club has been a gathering place and forum for leadership since 1969.
Becoming a Rotarian connects you with a diverse group of professionals who share your drive to give back. For more information on becoming a Rotarian, please contact stkittsrotary7030@gmail.com.