The Woodland City Council has officially declared October 24 as World Polio Day, acknowledging the significant efforts of the Woodland Rotary Club in combating polio. This proclamation, passed during a recent council meeting, highlights the Rotary Club’s ongoing commitment to humanitarian service and public health.
The Woodland Rotary Club, alongside the Rotary Club of Woodland Luna Vista and the Rotary Club of Woodland Sunrise, are active members of Rotary International, a non-profit service organization established in 1905. The Rotary’s guiding principle, “service above self,” drives its members to engage in charitable activities that promote goodwill and peace globally.
During the meeting, Tania Garcia-Cadena, a member of the city council, read the proclamation, which noted the Rotary’s launch of PolioPlus in 1985. This initiative has played a crucial role in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, which collaborates with organizations such as the World Health Organization, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, UNICEF, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. The goal of this partnership is to ensure that all children worldwide receive immunizations against polio.
According to the proclamation, polio cases have decreased by over 99.9% since 1988, with the world now poised to eradicate this devastating disease entirely. The council recognized the Woodland Rotary Clubs for their ongoing contributions, which include providing essential operational support, medical personnel, laboratory equipment, and educational resources for health workers and parents.
Former Woodland mayor Xóchitl Rodriguez expressed gratitude during the meeting, stating, “Thank you, members of the City Council. As president-elect of Luna Vista Rotary, and my colleagues here present, we’re very proud to take on the campaign of PolioPlus.” Rodriguez emphasized the critical impact of polio, particularly in impoverished regions, noting that, according to the World Health Organization, untreated polio can result in the deaths of 200,000 individuals annually.
This proclamation not only marks a significant date for the city but also serves as a reminder of the collective efforts required to eliminate polio. The Woodland Rotary Clubs continue to play a pivotal role in this global health initiative, working tirelessly to ensure that no child is left vulnerable to this preventable disease.