Local Rotary Club members raise awareness for World Polio Day

Cranbrook’s Rotary Club joins clubs around the globe in raising awareness for World Polio Day this October 24.

World Polio Day is an awareness initiative that recognizes worldwide efforts to eradicate the disease. For former Cranbrook Rotary Club president Heidi Romich, it is important for the club to take the lead in ending polio globally.

“Rotary started this in the mid-80s and has partnered with the World Health Organization and UNICEF in vaccinating approximately 3 billion children worldwide, and we’re 99.9 per cent there,” said Romich.

“Until we can eradicate it completely from every single country, we still risk it spreading back around the world.”

“Polio is not curable, but it is preventable. That means Rotary just needs to stay vigilant and continue the work, without giving up,” Romich added.

Romich has joined vaccination missions on the ground with Rotary International, witnessing the results firsthand.

“I’ve had the good fortune to travel and live abroad, and to see the devastating effects. I went to India in 2019 and participated in vaccination drops — it was completely life-changing. Seeing the work being done, and children crawling and unable to reach their full potential, was heartbreaking. Any small contribution I can make is huge.”

Cranbrook’s Karen Penner is proud to call herself a polio survivor. She shares her experience after contracting the disease in 1949.

“I was very young when I had polio. I was diagnosed with bulbar polio, which affects all of your limbs and left me completely paralyzed,” Penner said.

“When you’re parents see your child, lifeless and paralyzed, you put your heart and soul into trying to save that child. That’s exactly what my mom and dad, along with a support team, did — working around the clock.”

“Gratefulness is one thing. Thanksgiving is one thing. Love is one thing. But I’m blessed,” she added.

Both Romich and Penner agree that the progress seen today wouldn’t be possible without community support. Romich said that donations to local Rotary Clubs are a meaningful way to mark World Polio Day.

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