Rotary lights up Kansas City's Marriott Hotel and Kauffman Center to support global polio eradication on World Polio Day, October 24, 2019

KANSAS CITY, Mo., Oct. 24, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Rotary members in the Kansas City region are among millions reaching out on World Polio Day to raise awareness, funds and support to end polio – a vaccine preventable disease that still threatens children in parts of the world today.

On Thursday, October 24, Rotary clubs in Kansas City will illuminate the exterior of the Marriott Hotel at 200 West 12th St, Kansas City, MO 64105, and the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. The Marriott Hotel will be illuminated with Rotary's humanitarian service pledge to End Polio Now. The message will be displayed on the edifice beginning at sunset on Thursday October 24. The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, 1601 Broadway Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64108, will be illuminated in red, the color of Rotary's End Polio Now initiative. By vote of the Kanas City, Missouri, City Council, Thursday, October 24 has been declared World Polio Day in Kansas City.

"This is one day with one focus for Rotarians all over the world," said Rotary District 6040 Governor, Marc Horner. "The End Polio Now message is Rotary's promise to the children of the world."

Since Rotary and its partners launched the Global Polio Eradication Initiative 30 years ago, Rotary members have contributed $1.9 billion and countless volunteer hours to protect more than 2.5 billion children in 122 countries from this paralyzing disease. Incidence of polio has plummeted by more than 99.9 percent, from about 350,000 cases a year in 125 countries in 1988 to just 33 cases in 2018. To sustain this progress, and protect all children from polio, Rotary has committed to raising US$50 million per year in support of global polio eradication efforts. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will match Rotary's commitment 2:1. Without full funding and political commitment, this paralyzing disease could return to previously polio-free countries, putting children everywhere at risk.

About Rotary

Rotary brings together a global network of volunteer leaders dedicated to tackling the world's most pressing humanitarian challenges. Rotary connects 1.2 million members of more than 35,000 Rotary clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas. Their work improves lives at both the local and international levels, from helping families in need in their own communities to working toward a polio-free world. Visit http://www.endpolio.org for more about Rotary and its efforts to eradicate polio.

SOURCE Rotary International, Zone 31