by Sylene Argent
Last Wednesday, the Rotary Club of Essex, along with the Essex District High School (EDHS) Rotary Interact Club and Student Council, hosted the annual Pizza for Polio event at the local high school to celebrate October 24 as World Polio Day.
Dr. Julie Ricci, who is a member of the Essex Rotary Club, said she was happy to again help host the Pizza for Polio event in Essex this year. As part of the campaign, a portion of the pizza sales made during lunch break at Essex District High School-and at Armando’s, Capri, Brenko’s House of Pizza, and Little Caesars later that day-went towards Polio eradication efforts.
Ricci said events were hosted all over the world to recognize the day that brings awareness to Rotary International’s dedication to eradicating Polio.
Polio, she added, still exists in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Nigeria. Two drops, which cost 60cents, can save a child from ever experiencing the devastating affects of Polio.
Last year’s Pizza for Polio event raised around $1400. It is hoped this year’s efforts are just as successful. She added the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s commitment to eradicate polio will double that impact.
In 1985, Ricci explained, there were 350,000 cases of Polio when Rotary International began it mission to eradicate the disease. In 2018, there have been 20 new cases to date.
To learn more, visit www.endpolio.org.