2017 Ride to End Polio

The weather could not have been more perfect for the Rotarians and friends who participated in our Rotary District’s 5500 Michael J Harris Memorial Ride To End Polio event on Saturday, 11/18, in the 35^th Annual El Tour de Tucson.  Those who rode outdoors or indoors and those who supported the riders as a donor, or who volunteered in some capacity or both…….all contributed their time, their talent, their money and their energy in  Rotary’s goal to eradicate Polio worldwide. The goal this year was set at $10 million with the Gates Foundation match and as of Saturday morning, more than $8.4 million had been pledged or collected from Rotarians locally and around the world. Polio doesn’t stand a chance with dedicated Rotarians and partners who continue the fight against this devastating disease. Just think, over 30 years ago there were 350,000 cases a year in 125 countries and now this year, only 15 cases reported in just two countries.  We look forward to the day when we can close the book on polio and say “Adios Polio.”