TARGET 2005

"Target 2005: A World Without Polio."

Rotary International, founded in Chicago in 1905, wants to give the world a present in observance of its 100th birthday in 2005 -- freedom from the threat of polio.

Rotary officials agree that at one time, it was a naive dream.

Today, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), that goal is attainable.

Polio has been eradicated in 155 countries, including all of North and South America, Western Europe, China and Australia. It remains endemic in 116 countries.

The last new case in the Americas was in Peru in 1991.

Much of the credit goes to Rotarians who have now raised more than $400 million to eradicate polio.

Since 1985, Rotarians have focused on a global polio eradication effort, said Stone Manes, a member of the Jackson Rotary, and former chairman of Rotary District 609's PolioPlus program.

"The PolioPlus program is an ongoing one," said Manes. "It's aimed at the eradication of polio worldwide by the year 2005."

Rotarians throughout the world, and throughout District 609 of Southeast Missouri have been involved in a number of projects to raise funds for the PolioPlus program.

During the first two years of the Rotary campaign, Rotarians raised more than $245 million to support immunization projects, providing polio immunizations to more than 3 million children in 103 countries.

The Rotary program originated in the United States in 1985 to help stamp out polio, said Manes.

"Many clubs added to the fund by taking pledges from members," said Manes. All the money from pledges went to the Rotary Foundation, which funneled the funds into the PolioPlus fund.

The Rotary Foundation works with the United National World Health Organization medical personnel, who administer polio immunizations.

In addition to polio shots, children and infants also receive measles and diphtheria immunizations as part of the WHO program.

More than $350,000 was raised in District 609 -- which extends from Jefferson County to Arkansas state line, and westward, from the Mississippi River to Rolla and Willow Springs.

"Each club established a goal," said Manes. "And they reached their goals."

Three of the 38 district clubs that have been leaders in the PolioPlus fund-raising efforts are in Cape Girardeau County -- The Cape Girardeau Rotary Club, Cape Girardeau West Rotary Club and Jackson Rotary Club.

The three clubs combined pledged about $90,000. They wound up with $87,182 the first two years. The Cape Girardeau Club provided $43,995, Cape Rotary West gave $18,537 and Jackson added $24,650.

The drive, although basically completed, is ongoing.

"Rotary International's goal during a two-year period in the late 1980s was $112 million," said Manes. "More than $246 million was raised at that time."

Since then, the Rotary funds have passed the $400 million mark.

More importantly, Rotary has mobilized its 1.2 million members around the world to help. In late 1997, some Rotarians were in Ethiopia giving oral drops, while others worked to set up a lab that will be important for determining success of the immunization campaign.

In campaigns around the world, children have been immunized in fast-food outlets, gas stations, company clinics, shopping malls, radio and television stations, bus and railway stations, government offices and schools.

Vaccine has been carried on the backs of camels, horses, donkeys, bicyclists, in rickshaws and on army helicopters.

India accounted for more than half the world's polio cases in 1996, but the country immunized 127 million children last January.

When the Rotarians raised more than $200 million, The WHO changed its opinion of Rotary's year 2005 eradication goal seriously.

Initially, public health officials had doubted the group's commitment and ability to do the job. The Rotary Foundation now expects to spend $400 million on the campaign, the largest single contribution ever from the private sector for a public health program.

Rotary also has urged governments and donor agencies to increase their commitment to polio eradication. This year, the U.S. government agreed to spend $72 million on the campaign.