West University Rotary polio eradication effort reaches new milestones

Members of the West University Rotary club have helped the club reach a fundraising milestone in its fight against polio.

Rotary Clubs around the world have contributed $200 million to eradicating polio. Members from the West U. club have contributed nearly $94,000 for cause since 2007. The 62 clubs that make District 5890 have raised more than $700,000 during that time.

"We'll celebrate this milestone, but it doesn't mean that well stop raising money or spreading the word about polio eradication," Rotary Foundation Trustee John F. Germ told the annual conference of Rotary leaders, according to a press release. "We can't stop until our entire world is certified as polio free."

The Rotary Club has been at the forefront of private fundraising to stop polio. Since 1988, incidents of the disease have dropped 99 percent. Jan. 13 marked the first year that India did not record a new case of polio. This leave three countries—Afghanistan, Nigeria and Pakistan—where polio is still being transmitted.

Houston-area clubs will host End Polio Now Day at Minute Maid Park. Tickets to the event are $2 and will go toward fighting polio.