The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will match the money raised by local Rotary clubs’ Saturday inaugural PolioPlus Fun Run two to one. Participants can choose between a 5K run or a one-mile walk; 100 percent of their entrance fees goe to support PolioPlus, which is working to eradicate polio in the world.
The disease, for which there is no cure, once affected hundreds of thousands of children. Now, an oral vaccine can cost as little as 60 cents, and the disease is largely – but not completely – eradicated. Rotary International and other organizations have made it their goal to completely stop the disease.
The run is tomorrow, Oct. 24, 10 a.m. at Riverbend Elementary school; Oct. 24 is World Polio Day. The entry fee is $10 for students and $20 for adults.
The run is sponsored by Juneau Rotary, Juneau-Gastineau Rotary, and Juneau-Glacier Valley Rotary.
