🚴‍♀️ And thank you to Dalton and Beatrice Lindsay for your generous gift to Team Member 'James' Craig, bringing his total raised to CAD $2,285.00!

🙏 Thank you Bill Clark for your generous donation to Team Member Patricia Murenbeeld, bringing her total raised to CAD $1,054.00!

On September 13th, District 7090 hosted the 6th Annual Participate for Polio ride in honour of Dr. Ron Mergl, a Rotarian who championed polio eradication through Rotary International’s Immunization Days in India and Africa. Since 2020, this event has carried forward his legacy thanks to Past District Governor Frank Adamson.

While Frank cycled in the Netherlands for Wounded Warriors Canada, Elaine Richard organized and Graham Repei led this year’s ride from St. Davids to Niagara-on-the-Lake and back. Riders enjoyed great weather, treats at Walker's Country Market, and fellowship at The Old Firehall Restaurant.

A huge thank you to our amazing fundraisers, cyclists, and event supporters—especially Dr. June Mergl—for helping us raise over $7,000 CAD to date. The fundraiser remains open through October (October 24th is World Polio Day) and November (November is Foundation Month). Every $1 donated becomes $3 thanks to the Gates Foundation’s 2:1 match. If you have not donated, help us End Polio Now!

After sitting on the sidelines giving encouragement to the riders of the Dr Ron Mergl participate for polio I have decided to ride this year to support our Polio efforts to eradicate polio. We are close but lets finish the promise to the children of the world. Please support me as I try to complete the 25 to 30 Km ride that the organizers have suggested.

September 13th will be my sixth year riding in the Raise for Rotary Participate for Polio. The efforts to end polio continue to focus on Afghanistan and Pakistan, the last two countries in the world with endemic polio. With the USA removing substantial funding by dramatically reducing USAID it is essential for the rest of the world to step up, and in conjunction with the World Health Organization and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (which will double match your donation) to provide the the support needed to bring the campaign to its conclusion. Rotary has been involved in this campaign since 1985 when polio was endemic throughout the world. Please donate to the Rotary Foundation in support.

Thank you for helping eradicate Polio.
Post-USAID funding cuts have left uncertainty to the WHOGlobal Polio Eradication Initiative because 21% of its budget was historically funded by the United States.
If polio spreads, billions of dollars of investments that have gone to eradicate polio would be lost. Please donate to carry on this important work.

For a $100 annual USD donation you can become a charter member of our District 7090 PolioPlus Society. Hoping to grow this new initiative in District 7090.